6 2 MALUONAÜO. 1 8 3 2 - 3 .
eminently sociable, and lives on tlie open plains without art
or disguise :* the cuckoo, as every one knows, is a singularly
shy bird; it frequents the most retired tliickets, and
feeds on fruit and caterpillars. In structure these birds are
likewise widely removed from each other.
I will only iiicution two other birds, which arc very common,
and render themselves promiiieut from their liabits. 1 lie
Siiiirophagiis siilp/iiireiis is typical of the great American tribe
of Tyraiit-flvcatchers. In its structure it closely approaches
the true sliiikes, but in its habits may be compared to many
birds. 1 have frequently observed it, liimtlng a field, hovering
over one spot like a hawk, and then proceeding on to another.
AAlieii thus seen suspended in the air, it might very readily
at a short distance be mistaken for one of the Rapacious
order; its stoop, however, is very inferior in force and rapidity.
At other times the Saurophagus haunts the neighbourhood
of water, and there, like a kingfisher, remaining
stationary, it catches any small fish which may come near
the margin. These birds are not unfrequently kept either
in cages, or in courtyards with tlieir wings cut. They soon
become tame, and are very amusing from their cunning odd
manners, which were described to me, as being similar to
those of the common magpie. Their flight is undulatory, for
the weight of the head and bill appear too great for the
body. In the evening the Saurophagus takes its stand on a
bush, often by the road-side, and continually repeats, without
change, a shrill and rather agreeable cry, wkcli somewhat
resembles articulate words. The Spaniards say it is
like the words, “ Bien te veo ” (I see you well), and accordingly
have given it this name.
A mocking-bird, Orpheus modulator, called by the inhabitants
Calandria, is remarkable, from possessing a song far
superior to that of any other bird in the country : indeed, it
is nearly the only bird in South America which I have
observed to take its stand for the purpose of singing. The
* See A z a ra , vo l. iii., p- 170.
1 8 ,3 2 -3 . OI INITHOJ .OGY. G3
song may lie compared to that of the Sedge warliler, but is
more powerful; some harsh notes and some very higli ones,
being mingled with a jileasaiit warbling. It is heard only
during the spring. At other times its cry is harsh and far
from harmonious. It frequents thickets and hedges, is very
active, and whilst quickly lioppiiig about, often expands its
tail. Near Maldonado these liirds were tame and bold;
they constantly attended in numbers the country houses, to
pick the meat which was hung up on the posts or w'alls : if
any other small bird joined the feast, the Calandria directly
chased it away. On tlie wide uniuhaliited plains of Patagonia
another closely allied species, O. Patagónica of D ’Orbigny,
which frequents the valleys clothed wdth spiny Imshes, is a
wilder bird, and has a slightly difi’ereut tone of voice. It
appears to me a curious circumstance, as showing the fine
sliades of difference in Iiabits, that, judging from this latter
respect alone, wdien I first saw this second species, I thought
it was different from the Maldonado kind. Having after-
W'ards procured a specimen, and comparing the twm without
particular care, they appeared so very similar, that I changed
my opinion; but now Mr. Gould* says that they are certainly
distmct; a conclusion in conformity with the trifling
difference of habit, of which, however, he W’as not aware.
I will conclude these few ornithological observations with
an account of the various carrion-feeding haw'ks which frequent
the extratrnpical parts of South America. The number,
tameness, and disgusting habits of these birds, make them
pre-eminently striking to any one accustomed only to the
birds of Northern Europe. In this list may be included
four species of the Caracara or Polyborus, the Turkey buzzard,
the Gallinazo, and the Condor. The Caracaras are,
from their structure, placed among the eagles : we shall soon
see how ill they become so high a rank. In their habits
they weU supply the place of our carrion-crows, magpies and
ravens ; a tribe of birds wdiich is totally wanting in South
* M r G o u ld was n o t a t th e tim e aw a r e t h a t M . D ’O rb ig n v h a d d e -
s c n b e d th em as d iffe re n t. ”
Hi