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MAGELLANIC SPHENISQUE. 



red-brown : the sides of the head, under the eye and 

 the chin, black : from the base of the beak, through 

 and over the eye, surrounding the black on the sides 

 of the head and meeting under the throat, is a white 

 streak : the rest of the head and neck is black, as are 

 also the upper parts of the body and wings : the under 

 parts of the body, from the breast, white, a narrow 

 band of black excepted, which passes at a little distance 

 within the white on the breast, and downwards on 

 each side, beneath the wings, quite to the thighs : 

 the legs are reddish flesh-colour, irregularly spotted 

 on the toes : claws black. 



Inhabits Terra del Fuego, the Straits of Magellan, 

 and other southern parts, in the utmost profusion : 

 often seen by thousands retiring to rest for the night : 

 when they swim, only the neck and shoulders appear 

 out of the water, and they advance with great rapidity ; 

 if they meet with any obstacle they leap four or five 

 feet out of the water, and dipping into it again con- 

 tinue their route. They are rather bold birds, and 

 if molested will frequently attack and bite the in- 

 truder by the legs, so as to fetch blood. Their eggs 

 are larger than those of a Goose, are two in number, 

 and are said to be good eating. 



