till
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. AWien
hovering b)' 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.
C H A P T E R X V .
C liilo c— G e n e r a l a s p e c t— B o a t e x c u rs io n — N a tiv e I n d ia n s — C a s t r o -
L a rg e leav e s o f G u n n e r a s c ab ra— T am e fo x— A s c e n d S a n P e d r o—
C h o n o s A rc h ip e la g o— P e n in s u la o f T r e s M o n te s— G r a n itic r a n g e—
L ow e ’s H a rb o u r— W ild p o ta to— F o r e s t— F o rm a tio n o f p e a t— M y o p o ta -
m n s, o t te r a n d m ic e— C h e u c a u a n d b a rk in g -b ird— F u rn a riu s— S in g u la r
c h a ra c te r o f o rn ith o lo g y— P e tre ls .
C H IL O E AN D CHONOS IS LA N D S .
N o v e m b e r 1 0 t h .—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 every where covered by one great forest, excepting
a few scattered green patches, which have been cleared
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 the southern
shores. In winter the climate is detestable, and in 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 sky
almost always clouded: to have a week of fine weather is
something wonderful. It is even difficult to get a single
glimpse of the Cordillera: during our first visit only one
opportunity occurred, and that was before sunrise, when the
Volcano of Osorno stood out iu bold relief; and it was curious
W' l !