166 



makes in the high banks of rivers, or on the sides of 

 hills. 



Grey and red partridges^ which, according to 

 Feuilié, are larger than those of Europe, are very 

 numerous throughout the country. They have an 

 excellent flavour, particularly during the months of 

 April and May, when they feed upon the flowers of 

 the sassia perdicaria. In the marshes is found a 

 species that is smaller, whose flesh is much less 

 delicate. Quails are wholly unknown in Chili, al- 

 though common in many of the American settle- 

 ments. 



The domestic fowl, which the Indians call achau^ 

 is of the same breed as that of Euro])e, but it is as- 

 serted on the faith of an ancient tradition, that it has 

 always been known in the country, and what tends 

 to confirm this opinion, is the proper name which it 

 has in the Chilian language, which is not the case 

 with other birds of foreign extraction, such as the 

 common pigeon, the tame duck, the goose, and 

 the turkey. From whence it would seem that the 

 domestic fowl, the hog and the dog, are animals 

 destined to accompany man in whatever country lie 

 may be placed. This opinion is confirmed by the 

 late English navigators, who have met with them in 

 ahnost all the islands of the Pacific. 



Among the numerous birds that inhabit Chili, I 

 shall notice tlîose only that are the most remarkable, 

 which I shall divide into two general classes, the 

 palmated or web footed, and the cloven footed. The 

 first have their toes united by a membrane, and fre- 



