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CHARLES DARWIN 



greatest trouble, nor does it run, but only hops. The various 

 loud cries which it utters when concealed amongst the bushes, 

 are as strange as its appearance. It is said to build its 

 nest in a deep hole beneath the ground. I dissected several 

 specimens: the gizzard, which was very muscular, contained 

 beetles, vegetable fibres, and pebbles. From this character, 

 from the length of its legs, scratching feet, membranous 

 covering to the nostrils, short and arched wings, this bird 

 seems in a certain degree to connect the thrushes with the 

 gallinaceous order. 



The second species (or P. albicollis) is allied to the first 

 in its general form. It is called Tapacolo, or " cover your 

 posterior ;" and well does the shameless little bird deserve its 

 name; for it carries its tail more than erect, that is, inclined 

 backwards towards its head. It is very common, and fre- 

 quents the bottoms of hedge-rows, and the bushes scattered 

 over the barren hills, where scarcely another bird can exist. 

 In its general manner of feeding, of quickly hopping out of 

 the thickets and back again, in its desire of concealment, 

 unwillingness to take flight, and nidification, it bears a close 

 resemblance to the Turco ; but its appearance is not quite so 

 ridiculous. The Tapacolo is very crafty : when frightened by 

 any person, it will remain motionless at the bottom of a bush, 

 and will then, after a little while, try with much address to 

 crawl away on the opposite side. It is also an active bird, and 

 continually making a noise: these noises are various and 

 strangely odd; some are like the cooing of doves, others like 

 the bubbling of water, and many defy all similes. The coun- 

 try people say it changes its cry five times in the year — 

 according to some change of season, I suppose. 4 



Two species of humming-birds are common; Trochilus 

 forficatus is found over a space of 2500 miles on the west 

 coast, from the hot dry country of Lima, to the forests of 

 Tierra del Fuego — where it may be seen flitting about in 

 snow-storms. In the wooded island of Chiloe, which has an 



* It is a remarkable fact, that Molina, though describing in detail all the 

 birds and animals of Chile, never once mentions this genus, the species 

 of which are so common, and so remarkable in their habits. Was he at 

 a loss how to classify them, and did he consequently think that silence 

 was the more prudent course? It is one more instance of the frequency 

 of omissions by authors, on those very subjects where it might have been 

 least expected. 



