XIII 
ORNITHOLOG Y 
307 
Plata. It here, however, exclusively frequents salt water ; which 
same circumstance has been mentioned as sometimes occurring 
with the great rodent, the Capybara. A small sea-otter is very 
numerous ; this animal does not feed exclusively on fish, but, 
like the seals, draws a large supply from a small red crab, which 
swims in shoals near the surface of the water. Mr. Bynoe saw 
one in Tierra del Fuego eating a cuttlefish ; and at Low’s 
Harbour, another was killed in the act of carrying to its hole a 
large volute shell. At one place I caught in a trap a singular 
little mouse (M. brachiotis) ; it appeared common on several 
of the islets, but the Chilotans at Low’s Harbour said that 
it was not found in all. What a succession of chances, 1 
or what changes of level must have been brought into play, 
thus to spread these small animals throughout this broken 
archipelago ! 
In all parts of Chiloe and Chonos, two very strange birds 
occur, which are allied to, and replace, the Turco and Tapacolo 
of central Chile. 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. The cheucau is held in 
superstitious fear by the Chilotans, on account of its strange and 
varied cries. There are three very distinct cries : one is called 
chiduco,” and is an omen of good ; another, “ huitreu,” which is 
extremely unfavourable ; and a third, which I have forgotten. 
These words are given in imitation of the noises ; 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 ” (Pteroptochos Tarnii), and by the 
English the barking-bird. This latter name is well given ; for 
1 It is said that some rapacious birds bring their prey alive to their nests. If so, 
in the course of centuries, every now and then, one might escape from the young 
birds. Some such agency is necessary, to account for the distribution of the smaller 
gnawing animals on islands not very near each other. 
