Page:The birds of Tierra del Fuego - Richard Crawshay.djvu/35

Rh a most large and free scope." On the bare wind-swept flats the Calafate grows the merest stunted bush, sprawling along the ground hardly a foot in height; but, in sheltered places in valleys and on the outskirts of forest, it develops into a tree as large as the White Thorn {Cratmgus oxyacantha). It is the most uncompromising mass of thorns imaginable, yet is the most beloved of all trees. In spring, its rich yellow sweet-smelling blossoms altogether pervade the air; in summer its generous black-grape-coloured fruit is a blessing to man and beast and bird.

The Black Currant, from which one is apt to look for so much on hearing its name, is a disappointment. The fruit never properly ripens. It is hard, juiceless, and insipid. I have eaten it on occasion, though never with any sense of satisfaction. Certain birds, however, appreciate it—in particular the thrush.

The Crowberry is the principal growth of the moors, where it takes the place of Heather. Here the berries are bright red, whereas in the British Isles these are black. The leaves are the food of the grouse-like Attagis.

Amongst the more noticeable Flowers are the Pink Primula (P, magellanica), about the first to show growth in spring; the Gladiolus-like Sisyrinchium filifolium with clusters of delicate bell-shaped sweet-smelling pink-and-maroon blossoms suspended by the merest threads; a large single-headed Calceolaria (G, darwlnii); the Mauve Pea {Lathyrus magellanicus) commonly found along the cliffs to the south of Useless Bay; and in the beds of streams a luxuriant plant with white Daisy-like flowers growing in a cluster on a massive stalk {Senecio smithii). On open grassland anyway sheltered, the Buttercup {Ranunculus) becomes a veritable cloth of gold. Cerastium arvense occurs in patches of dazzling whiteness. Celery (Apium) is exceedingly plentiful, also the Dandelion (Taraxacum); and both are largely eaten by the white settlers.