x 



'l 



If^rger than those, of a partrijdge^ It keeps in pairs^ 

 %nd the ipale and female are almost always together, 

 }fup it is very rarely to be seen in flocks. When they^ 

 perceive any one searching for their nest, they a£ 

 ^rst conceal themselves in the grass, YVfithout dis- 

 covering any apprehension, but as soon as they sec^ 

 tiiç person approaching the spot where the nest is 

 placed, they rush out with fury to defend it. It is 

 observed that this bird never makes the least noise 

 during the day, ancl that it cries at night only when 

 it hears some one passing. For this reason, ttie 

 Araucanians, when at war, are accustomed to vratcfi 

 the cry of this bird, which serves them as a centinel 

 to inform them of the approach of an enei^iy. They 

 were formerly aççustomed in Chili to hunt |;hçsè 

 bird^ with the falcon, but this mode has been long 

 out of \ise, and they c^re at present shot witji fowling 

 pieces. It js gop§ garn^^apd in no ^^j^pect inferior 

 to the woodcock. 



Tl^e piuquen (otis jChilensis) is a Species of bus- 

 tard largef than thi^t of Europe. It is alinost entire- 

 ly white, excepjting its heaji and the upp^f part of its 

 wings, which are grey, and the first quills, which are 

 black. Its tail is short, and composed of eighteen 

 li^hite feathers. Jt has no excrescence either beneath 

 the tfjroajt, or up^n the bill, which resemble^ that of 

 the .CiDinin.op bnstard. Its feet are (Ji^i^^^ i"í^ ^^^^^^ 

 toes befpijç, an^d a fourth, rather nioje elevated, be- 

 hind, ft ijjh^bits the plains, wherç it is almost al- 

 \v^ays fpjiyid in jBqcks ; it feeds upon grass, and does 

 ïiçt jhegin ^t9 br.^i^d until two years old ; it lays six 

 Wfbite eggs Jargei' tlian those of the goose, is easil;jr 



