Zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836, v.2

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BIRDS. 57 black; breast and flanks olive brown; centre of the abdomen and under tail-coverts, buff; bill, horn colour; feet, black. Habitat, Santa Cruz, Patagonia. (April.) I am not aware of any difference in habits between this species, and the fol­lowing (A. micropterus); and the country inhabited by it is similar. From these circumstances I am induced to suspect, that it is the same species in an immature state. 3. AGRIORNIS MICROPTERUS. Gmt/d. Plato XH. M. pallide brunneus, subtusjlavescenti-albus ,· alat·um caudceque plumis griseo-mm-gina­tis; gutturis albis, brunneo-marginatis. Long. tot. V-fi unc.; alaJ, 4i; caudaJ, 2f; tarsi, 1-fi; rostt·i, If. Head, all the upper surface, wings and tail, pale brown, each feather of the wings. and tail margined with greyish brown; throat, white, striated with dark brown; the remainder of the under surface, huffy white; bill, dark horn colour; feet brown. Habitat, Port Desire, and St. Julian, Patagonia. (Janumy). These birds frequent the wild valleys in which a few thickets grow. They generally take their stand on the upper twigs. They are shy, solitary, and not numerous. Mr. G. R. Gray considers the two specimens which were obtained to be immature, and that one is a full-fledged young, and the othe1· a nestling of the Agt·. striatus. 4. AGRIORNIS MARITIMus. G. R. Gmy. PLATE XIII. Pepoaza maritima, D'Orb. et Lefr., Mag. de Zoo!. 1837, p. 65. Agriornis leucurus. Gould' 8 JlfSS., and on Pl. xiii. Inhabits the coast of Patagonia. It is a scarce, shy, solitary bird, frequent­ing the valleys in which thickets grow, but often feeding on the ground. In the interior plains of Patagonia, on the banks of the Santa Cruz, I several times saw it chasing beetles on the wing, in a peculiar manner, half hopping and half flying ; when thus employed, it spreads its tail, and the white feathers in it are displayed in a very conspicuous manner. I also met with this species in the lofty and arid valleys on the eastern side of the Cordillera of Central Chile, and likewise at Copiap6.