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The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] cover

The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5]

Chapter 87: 4. Agriornis maritimus. G. R. Gray.
By John Gould
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About This Book

An illustrated, systematic account of birds observed during the expedition, offering formal species descriptions, diagnostic characters, and notes on habits and geographic range. The volume combines taxonomic commentary and synonymy, frequent corrections and generic adjustments, and a series of hand-colored plates depicting specimens at life size or reduced scale. Supplementary material includes an observer’s concise summaries of behavior and distribution and an anatomical appendix detailing structure and comparative morphology. The work emphasizes identification, variation among closely related forms, and the practical records made during field collecting.

Plate XII.

M. pallidè brunneus, subtus flavescenti-albus; alarum caudæque plumis griseo-marginatis; gutturis albis, brunneo-marginatis.

Long. tot. 9³⁄₁₂ unc.; alæ, 4⅓; caudæ, 2⅞; tarsi, 1³⁄₁₂; rostri, 1⅜.

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, buffy white; bill, dark horn colour; feet brown.

Habitat, Port Desire, and St. Julian, Patagonia. (January).

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 other a nestling of the Agr. striatus.

4. Agriornis maritimus. G. R. Gray.

Plate XIII.
Pepoaza maritima, D’Orb. & Lafr., Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 65.
Agriornis leucurus. Gould’s MSS., 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 Copiapó.