1. Pteroptochos Tarnii. G. R. Gray.
Hylactes Tarnii. Vigors, Proc. Zool. 1830.
Megalonyx ruficeps. D’Orb. & Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837. p. 15.
Leptonyx Tarnii. D Orb. & Lafr. Voy. de l’Amer. Mer. Av. p. 198, pl. viii. f. 1.
This species, as well as several others of the genus, and likewise of Scytalopus are confined to the west coast of South America. The P. Tarnii ranges from the neighbourhood of Concepcion, lat. 37°, to south of the Peninsula of Tres Montes, between 41° and 50°. It is not found in Tierra del Fuego, where the climate probably is too cold for it, for in other respects, the great forests of that country appear admirably adapted to its habits. Its limit, northward of the province of Concepcion, is evidently due to the change which there takes place, from dense forests to an open and dry country. The P. Tarnii is abundant in all parts of the Island of Chiloe, where it is called by the native Indians, guid-guid; but by the English sailors, the barking-bird. This latter name is very well applied, for the noise which it utters is precisely like the yelping of a small dog. When a person is walking along a pathway within the forest, or on the sea beach, he will often be surprised to hear on a sudden, close by him, the barking of the guid-guid. He may often watch in vain the thicket, whence the sound proceeds, in hopes of seeing its author, and if he endeavour, by beating the bushes, to drive it out, his chance of success will be still smaller. At other times, by standing quietly within the forest, the guid-guid will fearlessly hop close to him, and will stand on the trunk of some dead tree, with its tail erect, and strange figure full in view. It feeds exclusively on the ground, in the thickest and most entangled parts of the forest. It rarely takes wing, and then only for short distances. It has the power of hopping quickly and with great vigour; when thus awkwardly proceeding, it carries its short tail in a nearly erect position. I was informed that the guid-guid, builds a nest amongst rotten sticks, close to the ground.
2. Pteroptochos megapodius. Kittl.
Pteroptochos megapodius. Kittl. 1830, Mem. de l’Acad. 1, pl. iv. et Vogel, von Chili, p. 10, pl. iv.
Megalonyx rufus. Less. Cent. Zool. 1831, pl. 66.
—— D’Orb. & Lafr.
Leptonyx macropus. Swains. Zool. Ill. pl. 117.