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Zoology of S. Cruz.

1834 May & April. S. Cruz During the expedition up the river I noticed found the same animals, birds, insects & plants, which I have collected near to the coast: this extreme similarity in the productions of the sterile plains of shingle is a very striking feature in the whole of S. Patagonia. The geology likewise being similar, one view can hardly be told from another.— Amongst animals, the smaller rodentia, in importance, far takes the lead of all other animals; besides several sorts of mice: we have the Aperea.— Tocco Toco & Gerbillus? (2032) in great numbers; On such animals the Foxes, which are in considerable numbers, perhaps prey.— The skunk or Zorilla is found.— The Guanaco are abound in large flocks & thus support the Pumas: The number of Guanaco is the reason, why out of the few birds, four very striking ones should be Carrion feeders.— The Condor, & three (a) Caracaras. The Sparrow (1704) is the commonest bird: (z) & the Fringilla (2017) is also abundant: there are [in margin] other Pages flocks of Sturnus ruber: the Callandra often sings (2011) amongst the spiny bushes.— Short billed snipe (1224) inhabits the driest parts of the plains.— Three Furnarii are found: one 2025: 1822: & 1823: this latter I was much surprised to see a hundred miles up the river; never before had I seen it distant from its favourite Kelp.— Alauda (1898), Avestruz Petises: several hawk & insect birds. V. Collection: Heteromerous insects are always numerous; a comparison with those of the N. Traversias will be interesting.— (I suspect Patagonia has but few productions of its own.— is the Botany sufficiently known to tell.— (c) The extreme infertility, even close to running water, has

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(c) has often much surprised me.— At different times I have attributed this general sterility to the salt contained in the sandy clay.— the extreme dryness of the climate, (which is an undoubted fact).— the poorness of the soil of the gravel beds.— and to no creation having taken place, since this country was elevated (I yet think this applies to the Northern parts): I am now most inclined to attribute it all to the poorness of the soil.— Yet in the Lower country, where there was water, it was but little better!.—

(b) Then Taturia (1697) exists thus far South.—

(a) I am quite at a loss to know whether Caracara (2028) is the same with the Carrancha of the R. Plate: I opened several, many were females, others had the ovaries (as for instance this specimen) quite smooth.— Yet I saw some more white beneath their on throats: Habits same as Carrancha — tolerably numerous all up country.— I saw one soaring at a great height — this very unusual in the whole tribe.— The Caracara (1772) is also pretty common.— & lastly a beautiful Caracara (Rancanea?) (2029): is abundant some distance up the river, but rare at coast.— I never saw it any-where else.— Skin about beak, yellow.— bill blue, black lines: Legs pale yellow.— Caracara (or Chimango) 1772, not uncommon at P. Famine