198 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 



resemble the females. Iris wood-brown ; feet and legs vary 

 from dull yellowish green to orange. Their food consists of 

 fibrous vegetable matter and seeds. A few seen at Baradero 

 in April. 



125. HiMANTOPus BRASiLiENsis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1873, 

 p. 454. 



Himantopus nigricollis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 18G8, p. 144. 



Occasionally resident, the greater part leaving us in the 

 spring and summer. Common in every marsh and on the 

 banks of every " arroyo " in the country. Their movements 

 on the ground are very graceful and elegant, and they walk 

 or run with equal ease. They generally go in small parties, 

 and when disturbed will often circle for a long time high above 

 one's head, uttering angry screams at the intruder. Iris car- 

 mine ; legs between scarlet and bright pink ; beak nearly 

 black. Common at Baradero in April. 



126. Phalaropus wilsoni, Sabine; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. 

 p. 144. 



The only specimens I have were shot by a friend a little to 

 the west of Buenos Ayres in February. 



127. Gallinago paraguai^ (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 

 1868, p. 144. 



The greater part of these birds are migratory, arriving in 

 April and leaving in August ; but though I have not yet found 

 any nests, I feel sure some few breed in this neighbourhood. 

 During the winter they are sometimes extremely numerous, 

 affording excellent sport : but their movements are very un- 

 certain ; for where there may be hundreds one day, the next 

 there are scarcely any to be seen. At this season they go in 

 small parties, or in flocks numbering three or four hundred 

 birds. During the spring they go through the same aerial 

 movements as the common Snipe at home, rising to a great 

 height by a circling motion* and '^ drumming" whilst descend- 

 ing in a diagonal line. How is this curious habit to be ac- 

 counted for in the South- American and European forms, ex- 

 cept by the theory of inheritance from a common progenitor ? 



