1 56 Capt. C. C. Abbott on the Birds 



catcher {HcE-matopus hucopus). A hole, formed in the shingle 

 just above high-water mark, generally on a point running out, 

 is its favourite nesting-place. 



21. HiEMATOPUS LEUCOPUS, Garnot. (Black and White 

 Oyster-catcher.) 



This Oyster-catcher is also common along the sea-coast, lay- 

 ing its eggs in the beginning of October, sometimes on the sea- 

 shore, but more frequently a little way inland, on a dry, sandy, 

 soil. The eggs are two in number, as with the other species ; 

 and there is no attempt at a- nest. 



22. LiMOSA HUDSONiCA (Lath.). (Godwit or Jack-Snipe.) 

 Flocks of this bird were seen at Mare Harbour in the month 



of May 1860. I shot two of them at Port Louis on the 20th 

 of that month. Both of these birds had the red-barred breast, 

 and this would therefore appear to be their winter-plumage, as 

 those shot in the summer are white on the breast. I have never 

 observed these Godwits during the winter months, and, when 

 they have been here in summer, I have never seen or heard of 

 their eggs being fouud. They are wary, and difl&cult to obtain 

 by gunshot. 



23. NUMENIUS BREVIROSTRIS (Licht.). 



This Curlew is a straggler from the coast, of which a speci- 

 men has been once obtained by Captain Pack. I have never met 

 with it. 



24. Gallinago magellanicus (King). (Snipe.) 



This Snipe generally appears in East Falkland about the 

 middle of August, and lays very soon after arriving ; for I have 

 had my dog point at them on the nest on the 1st of September, 

 and I have taken two eggs on that day. In the nests of this 

 bird I have never seen more than two eggs, although I have 

 frequently found them, and I believe two is the complement. In 

 March they mostly take their departure, although a few stragglers 

 remain all the year round. They make their nests under a tuft 

 of grass, of which material also the nest itself is composed. 



25. Tringa bonapartii, Schlegel. (Sandpiper.) 



This little Sandpiper appears in the summer, and breeds in 



