The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b BirdsGould, John
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b Birds
Gould, John
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Birds; Zoology
Sylvia Magellanica, _Lath._ Index, ii. p. 528. ♀ Forst. Dr. No. 163. ♀
Scytalopus fuscus, _Gould_, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. Part iv. 1836, p. 39.
♂
—— _Jard. and Selb._ Ill. Orn. New Ser. pl. 19. ♂
Platyurus niger, _Swains._, Two Cent. and a Quarter, p. 323. ♂
This bird has a wider range than the species of the foregoing and
closely allied genus. It is common near Port Famine in Tierra del Fuego,
and on the west coast in the thickly wooded islets of the Chonos
Archipelago. I was assured by an intelligent collector that this bird is
met with, though rarely, in central Chile; and Mr. Gould informs me,
that he has received specimens from that country. It has found its way
over to the Falkland Islands, where, instead of inhabiting forests, it
frequents the coarse herbage and low bushes, which in most parts conceal
the peaty surface of that island. In general appearance the _Scytalopus
fuscus_ might at first be mistaken for a Troglodytes, but in habits it
is closely allied to the several species of Pteroptochos. In a skulking
manner, with its little tail erect, it hops about the most entangled
parts of the forests of Tierra del Fuego; but when near the outskirts,
it every now and then pops out, and then quickly back again. It utters
many loud and strange cries: to obtain a good view of it is not always
easy, and still less so to make it fly. A specimen I procured at Chiloe
had its upper mandible stronger and more arched, but differed in no
other respect.
1. TROGLODYTES MAGELLANICUS. _Gould._
T. Magellanicus, _Gould_, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. Part iv. 1836, p. 88.
This bird has a considerable range. I procured specimens of it near Rio
de Janeiro, on the banks of the Plata, throughout Patagonia, in Tierra
del Fuego, where it is one of the commonest birds, and likewise in
Central Chile: its habits resemble very closely those of the common
Troglodytes of England. In the open country near Bahia Blanca it lived
amongst the thickets and coarse herbage in the valleys; in Tierra del
Fuego, in the outskirts of the forest. Its chirp is harsh. In Chile I
saw one in October building its nest in a hole in a stone wall, in a
situation such as would have been chosen by our Troglodytes.
2. TROGLODYTES PLATENSIS. _Gmel._
I procured specimens of this bird from Bahia Blanca, in Northern
Patagonia, and likewise from the Falkland Islands, where it is not
uncommon. When first killed, its legs and beak appear of larger size,
compared to its body, than in other species of this genus. In the
Falkland Islands it lives, almost exclusively, close to the ground, in
the coarse grass which springs from the peaty soil. I do not think I
ever saw a bird which, when it chose to remain concealed, was so
difficult to disturb. I have frequently marked one down to within a yard
on the open grassy plain, and afterwards have endeavoured, quite in
vain, by walking backwards and forwards, over the same spot, to obtain
another sight of it.
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