30 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed 
the colonists, and which seem to thrive, the whole country 
is characterized by an entire absence of trees; and to this 
fact, coupled with the general flatness of the country, may 
he attributed the very light rainfall the colonists experience. 
During our visit, lasting a month, we had two or three light 
show r ers; and this we were informed was about the average. 
From an old Indian burial-ground, at a distance of ten 
miles from the village, we disinterred the skeletons of two or 
three Indians, and some arrow- and spear-heads formed of 
flint from the same locality. Two skulls and the arrow-heads 
I preserved; the former are very similar to the heads of the 
present Tehuelche Indians, a small encampment of whom 
were at the colony during our visit. It is probable that 
before they came into possession of horses and dogs they 
lived on shell-fish and what they could secure with their bows 
and arrows, exactly as the Fuegians do now. 
In addition to the birds included in the following list, I 
observed some which, from having obtained no specimen or 
other causes, were not satisfactorily identified; so I think it 
better only to mention them. 
Twice during my visit I saw what I took to be a Harrier, 
about the size of Circus cinereus , but striped longitudinally 
with light and dark brown or black, the underparts lightest. 
It occurred on the sea-coast, and also on the tableland above 
the valley, perching on low bushes, and difficult of approach. 
When staying up the valley I saw many times, and once 
had a shot at, a bird slightly larger than Polyborus vulgaris , 
and from its habits closely allied to that species; the only 
difference I could detect was that it appeared to be a little 
larger and of a heavier build, with the plumage generally of a 
lighter colour than in that bird., 
Throughout the valley I many times observed some dark- 
brown Vultures, nearly as large as Geranoaetus melanoleucus , 
apparently of a uniform colour, but with the naked skin about 
the head red. This species is well known to the colonists, 
and feeds on dead horses, cattle, &c. 
Amongst thick rushy ground in the neighbourhood of the 
river is found a Rail, which, from two examples observed, 
1 should describe as exactly like an Aramides in plumage. 
