It is said that some rapacious birds bring their prey alive to their nests.

If so, in the course of centuries, every now and then, one might escape from the young birds.

Some such agency is necessary, to account for the distribution of the smaller gnawing animals on islands not very near each other.) In all parts of Chiloe and Chonos, two very strange birds occur, which are allied to, and replace, the Turco and Tapacolo of central Chile.

One is called by the inhabitants "Cheucau" (Pteroptochos rubecula): it frequents the most gloomy and retired spots within the damp forests.

Sometimes, although its cry may be heard close at hand, let a person watch ever so attentively he will not see the cheucau; at other times let him stand motionless and the red-breasted little bird will approach within a few feet in the most familiar manner.