HABITS OF THE PLOVERS. 8 1 



flight of these interesting birds. Every few moments they could be heard 

 in rapid flight, accompanied by their peculiarly shrill notes, as they shifted 

 their position to other feeding grounds about the shores of the lake. 



A small, gray, grouse-like plover, Thinocorys runiicivorus, somewhat 

 larger than the English sparrow, with white throat, and breast marked by 

 a deep black cross, was abundant on the higher pampas, where coveys 

 numbering from fifteen to twenty individuals were not uncommon. 

 Several other species of larger grouse-like plover were to be found, 

 though somewhat less abundantly, over the pampas. Among these may 

 be mentioned Thinocorys orbignianns, the smaller white-bellied plover; 

 Attagis malouintts, the larger white-bellied plover ; Oreophilns ntficollis, 

 the black-bellied plover, and less common and in more sheltered places 

 specimens of Attagis gayi were to be seen. The latter is of about the 

 size of our common sharp-tailed grouse and with habits somewhat re- 

 sembling those of that bird. All the different representatives of this 

 family of birds in Patagonia have very similar habits, resembling more 

 nearly those of the grouse than of the true plovers. As a rule they are all 

 exceptionally shy, though depending quite as much for protection upon 

 the coloring of the feathers of their backs and wings, which are singularly 

 well adapted for protective purposes, as upon their power of flight, which, 

 though rapid, they are incapable of sustaining for any considerable distance. 

 When approached while feeding on the pampa, they nestle down and, 

 with head and neck extended, lie perfectly prone upon the surface of the 

 shingle-covered plain. Their color harmonizes so well with that of their 

 surroundings, when in this position, that they are extremely difficult to 

 detect. I have seldom seen, among birds at least, a more perfect or 

 effective example of protection afforded through adaptive coloration. On 

 account of the delicious quality of their flesh these birds are highly prized 

 as food. Frequently when in quest of such sport, having detected a 

 covey of plover quietly feeding on the almost barren surface of the 

 pampa, but at a distance quite beyond the effective range of my fowling 

 piece, I have observed that, although they were clearly visible when first 

 detected and remained thus until such time as their attention was at- 

 tracted by my approach, they would then suddenly and mysteriously dis- 

 appear, as if by magic. Knowing that they had not taken to flight, I 

 would approach the spot where they had last been seen, confident of re- 

 gaining sight of them as I came more closely. As a rule my expectations 



