188 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
hence the vernacular nafffe Chorlito de invierno 
(Little Winter Plover). In its winter dress the upper 
plumage is greyish drab colour; the breast dark 
brown; the belly white. It is shy and active in 
disposition, has a very rapid flight, and is seen in 
flocks varying greatly in number, from a dozen to 
two or three hundred individuals. When feeding 
the birds scatter very widely, running swiftly over 
the ground in all directions, When on the wing it 
frequently utters its cry, which has not the mellow 
tone of the Golden Plover’s note, but it is wonder- 
fully clear and far-reaching, and impresses the 
listener with its wildness and melancholy. 
Their return migration takes place in August. 
PATAGONIAN RINGED PLOVER 
fegialitis falklandicus 
Above brown; front white ; band across forehead and sides of head 
black, bordered with rufous ; wings black, with bright shafts and white 
edges to the base of some of the inner primaries ; central tail-feathers 
black, lateral white, with a more or less distinct subterminal blackish 
band, except on the outer pair; beneath white, crossed by two broad 
blackish bands on the breast; bill and feet black; length 7, wing 5 
inches. Female similar. 
THE pretty little Belted Plover inhabits the Falklands 
and South Patagonia, and migrates north in winter 
as far as Paraguay ; but it is not anywhere common, 
and is seldom seen in parties exceeding half a dozen 
in number. It is extremely active, always preferring 
wet grounds to dry, and runs rapidly over the mud 
