AVES THINOCORYTHID/E. 25 I 



female birds, but there is no slate color on the fore part of crown and 

 forehead, the vermiculations are darker colored ; the black markings on 

 the throat are much less defined in the younger of the two, No. 7916. 

 The feet and bill are much like those of the adult in color. 



Geogyaphical Range. — Patagonia and the Argentine Republic, Chili, 

 Bolivia and Peru. 



The naturalists of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia met 

 this sparrow-like Plover frequently, and Mr. Hatcher's observations in 

 manuscript field-notes say: "Common on the high pampas near the 

 coast, where they occur in small flocks. When startled from a distance 

 they first nestle very close to the ground, and if approached more closely 

 they fly very rapidly for a short distance, then settle on the ground and 

 conceal themselves in the short grass. The color of the feathers of the 

 back and wings of all the species of this group of birds [Attagides) in 

 Patagonia is splendidly adapted for their preservation. So well do these 

 colors harmonize with that of the brown grass and shingle of the Pata- 

 gonian plains that these birds are extremely difficult to see when nestled 

 closely to the ground, as is their custom when any danger is discovered." 



Darwin noticed these birds with great interest, and a summary of his 

 record is appended as giving additional points in their biography : 



"A very singular little bird, Tinochonts rumicivorits, is here common; 

 in its habits and general appearance, it nearly partakes of the characters, 

 different as they are, of the quail and snipe. The Tinochorus is found in 

 the whole of southern South America, wherever there are sterile plains, or 

 open dry pasture land. It frequents in pairs or small flocks the most 

 desolate places, where scarcely another living creature can exist. Upon 

 being approached they squat close, and then are very difficult to be dis- 

 tinguished from the ground. When feeding they walk rather slowly, with 

 their legs wide apart. They dust themselves in roads and sandy places, 

 and frequent particular spots, where they may be found day after day ; like 

 partridges, they take wing in a flock. In all these respects, in the mus- 

 cular gizzard adapted for vegetable food, in the arched beak and fleshy 

 nostrils, short legs and form of foot, the Tinochorus has a close affinity 

 with quails. But as soon as the bird is seen flying its whole appearance 



