208 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
Mr, Barrows noted its est arrival at Concepcion in 
Entrerios on gth September, 1880, ‘‘ in large flocks.” 
After the middle of October not one was seen. 
The same excellent observer saw it almost daily 
on the pampas between Azul and Bahia Blanca, “‘ in 
company with the Golden Plover and Bartram’s 
Sandpiper, until late in February.” 
From the 8th to the roth of October, 1877, Durn- 
ford saw large flocks of this Whimbrel in the Chupat 
valley flying south, and obtained two specimens. 
Capt. Packe and Capt. Abbott both procured examples 
in the Falkland Islands. 
The Esquimo Whimbrel was common enough in 
its season on the pampas in my day, appearing in 
September to October in small flocks of thirty or 
forty to a hundred or more, and often associating 
with the Golden Plover; but, as I now hear from 
the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution at 
Washington, it is practically extinct. 
BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER 
Rhynchops melanura 
Above brownish black ; forehead and wing-band white ; tail black ; 
beneath white; bill, apical half black, basal half orange; feet red; 
length 19, wing 15 inches, Female similar. 
THE Black-tailed Skimmer, which is common on the 
coasts of Brazil, migrates south in spring, following 
the course of the Plata river in its journey, and 
