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Show 332 CHILE. Sept. 1834. numbers, a little before the vernal equinox. It comes from the parched deserts of the north, probably for the purpose of breeding in Chile. When on the wing, the appearance of this bird is singular. Like others of the genus, it moves from place to place with a rapidity which may be compared to that of Syrphus amongst diptera, and Sphinx among moths ; but whilst hovering over a flower, it flaps its wings with a very slow and powerful movement, totally different from that vibratory one common to most of the species, which produces the humming noise. I never saw any other bird, where the force of its wings appeared (as in a butterfly) so powerful in proportion to the weight of its body. When hovering by a flower, its tail is constantly expanded and shut like a fan, the body being kept in a nearly vertical position. This action appears to steady and support the bird, between the slow movements of its wings. Although flying from flower to flower in search of food, its stomach generally contained abundant remains of insects, which I suspect are much more the object of its search than honey is. The note of this species, like that of nearly the whole family, is extremely shrill. 333 CHAPTER XV. Chiloe-General aspect-Boat excursion- Native Indians- CastroLarge leaves of Gunnera scabra- Tame fox-Ascend San PedroChonos Archipelago-Peninsula of Tres Montes-Granitic rangeLowe's Harbour-Wild potato-Forest-Formation of peat-Myopotamus, otter and mice-Cheucau and barking-bird-Furnarius-Singular character of ornithology-Petrels. CHILOE AND CHONOS ISLANDS. NovEMBER lOTH.-The Beagle sailed from Valparaiso to the southward, for the purpose of surveying the southern part of Chile, the island of Chiloe, and the broken land called the Chonos Archipelago, as far south as the Peninsula of Tres Montes. On the 21st we anchored in the bay of S. Carlos, the capital of Chiloe. This island is about ninety miles long, with a breadth of rather less than thirty. The land is hilly, but not mountainous, and is e-.fery where covered by one great forest, excepting a few scattered green patches, which h~ve been clea~ed round the thatched cottages. From a distance the VIew somewhat resembles Tierra del Fuego; but the woods, when seen nearer, are incomparably more beautiful.. Many kinds of fine evergreen trees, and plants with a tropical character, here take the place of the gloomy beech of t~e southern shores. In winter the climate is detestable, and m summer it is only a little better. I should think there are few parts of the world, within the temperate regions, where so much rain falls. The winds are very boisterous, and the s~y almost always clouded : to have a week of fine weath~r IS something wonderful. It is even difficult to . ~et a smgle glimpse of the Cordillera : during our first visit only one opportunity occurred, and that was before sunr~·s e, wh e n. the Volcano of Osorno stood out in bold relief ; and It was curious |