352 



CHONOS ARCHIPELAGO. 



Jan. 1835. 



and Tapacolo. One is called by the inhabitants "Cheucau^^ 

 [Pteroptochos rubecula). It frequents the most gloomy 

 and retired spots within the damp forests. Sometimes, 

 although its cry may be heard close at hand, let a person 

 watch ever so attentively, he will not see the cheucau; at 

 other times, let him stand motionless, and the red-breasted 

 little bird will approach within a few feet, in the most 

 familiar manner. It then busily hops about the entangled 

 mass of rotting canes and branches, with its little tail 

 cocked upwards. I opened the gizzard of some specimens : 

 it was very muscular, and contained hard seeds, buds of 

 plants, and vegetable fibres, mixed with small stones. The 

 cheucau is held in superstitious fear by the Chilotans, on 

 account of its strange and varied cries. There are three 

 very distinct kinds, — one is called chiduco,^^ and is an 

 omen of good ; another, " huitreu,^^ which is extremely un- 

 favourable; and a third, which I have forgotten. These 

 words are given in imitation of its cries, and the natives are 

 in some things absolutely governed by them. The Chilotans 

 assuredly have chosen a most comical little creature for their 

 prophet. 



An allied species, but rather larger, is called by the natives 

 Guid-guid" [Hylactes Tarnii of King, and Pteroptochos of 

 Kittlitz), and by the English the barking-bird. This latter 

 name is well given ; for I defy any one at first to feel certain 

 that a small dog is not yelping somewhere in the forest. Just 

 as with the cheucau, a person will sometimes hear the bark 

 close by, but in vain may endeavour, by watching, and with 

 still less chance by beating the bushes, to see its author ; yet 

 at other times the guid-guid fearlessly comes near. Its man- 

 ner of feeding and its general habits are very similar to 

 those of the cheucau. Both species are said to build their 

 nests close to the ground, amongst the rotten branches. 

 The ground being so extremely wet, is a good reason why 

 they do not burrow holes, like the northern species. Besides 

 the cheucau and guid-guid, there is another species, but it is 

 not very common. Moreover, the bird which has been men- 



