Megalonyx rubecula, D’Orb. & Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 16.
Megalonyx rufogularis, D’Orb. & Lafr. Voy. de l’Amer. Mer. pl. 7, f. 2.
Leptonyx rubecula, D’Orb. & Lafr. Voy. de l’Amer. Mer. Av. p. 196.
This species appears to have nearly the same range with the P. Tarnii: its southern limit certainly extends as far as 47° south, but northward, where the forests cease, near Concepcion, I was unable to ascertain that this bird is ever met with, and Kittlitz has made the same remark. In Chiloe, where it is common, it is called by the Indian inhabitants the “Cheucau.” It frequents the most gloomy and retired spots within the damp forests. Sometimes, although the cry of the Cheucau is heard close by, a person may watch attentively and yet in vain; at other times, if he stands motionless, the red-breasted little bird will approach within a few feet, in the most familiar manner. It then busily hops about the entangled mass of rotting canes and branches, with its little tail cocked upwards. I opened the gizzard of several specimens; it was very muscular, and contained hard seeds, buds of plants, occasionally some insects, and vegetable fibres mixed with small stones. The Cheucau is held in superstitious fear by the Chilotans, on account of its strange and varied cries. There are three very distinct kinds:—one is called “chiduco,” and is an omen of good; another “huitreu,” which is extremely unfavourable; and a third, which I have forgotten. These words are given in imitation of its cries, and the natives are in some things absolutely governed by them. I have already stated that I was informed by the inhabitants that the Cheucau builds its nest amongst sticks close to the ground.
5. Pteroptochos paradoxus. G. R. Gray.
Troglodytes paradoxus, Kittl. Vog. von Chili, p. 12, pl. 5.—Id. Mem. de l’Acad. St. Peters. 1833, i. pl. 5.
Malacorhynchus Chilensis, Kittl. Mem. de l’Acad. St. Peters. 1835, p. 527.
Leptonyx paradoxus, D’Orb. Voy. de l’Amer. Mer. Av. p. 197.
This species differs in a small degree from all the others of the genus: its claws are longer, tarsi shorter, and bill flattened at the top: in these, and some other respects, it approaches to Scytalopus. I may add, that from a greater degree of resemblance, especially in the feet, P. Tarnii and megapodius may be ranked in one section, and P. albicollis and rubecula in another.
I procured specimens of the P. paradoxus both from Valdivia and Chiloe; like the P. Tarnii and P. rubecula it is confined to the regions of forest. Its habits are closely similar to those of the last species. I opened the gizzard of one at Valdivia, and found it full of large seeds and the remnants of insects. In Chiloe, where it is much less common than the Cheucau, it is called by the inhabitants Cheuqui. Kittlitz procured specimens from Concepcion. He describes the cry which it utters over and over again, in the same high tone, as very singular, and more like that of a frog than of a bird.