292 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS : ZOOLOGY 



This plover visits the Falkland Islands during the Patagonian summer 

 and breeds in that locality, retiring again in the colder season to the main- 

 land presumably. From this point Abbott wrote of this bird, which is 

 locally known as the "Dotterel": "It may safely be said that this is a mi- 

 gratory bird in East Falkland. The dotterel first appears in the beginning 

 of September, when the dry peat banks in all parts of the island are 

 covered with them. Their breast plumage is then of a beautiful red. 

 They lay the first week of October (as appears from my note book) placing 

 their eggs which are two in number on the dry moss, without making any 

 nest. The eggs are so nearly the colour of the surrounding ground, that 

 one almost treads on them before seeing them. I have sometimes how- 

 ever found their eggs placed under a bush. After the breeding season 

 the bright colour on the breast fades away. In the month of February 

 they commence to gather in flocks along the coast, and by the end of 

 April disappear entirely and do not return until the end of August or the 

 beginning of September of the following year. I have observed that these 

 birds always leave their eggs when anyone approaches and walk away call- 

 ing all the time. Of an afternoon, however, I have disturbed them off their 

 nests; they appear then to set more closely." (Abbott, Ibis, 1861 p. 155.) 



"Breeds in South Patagonia and visits Uruguay for the winter. Rid- 

 ing over to a neighboring estancia with a friend on the evening of the 

 29th March, and unfortunately without a single cartridge, having a supply 

 at the house I was going to, I got quite close to a flock of these little 

 plovers in winter dress. When put up they wheeled and turned just like 

 small golden plovers. My friend knew them, and had seen them when 

 they had the dark breast-band. They did not stay and I could not find 

 them again." (O. V. Alpin, on Birds Uruguay, Ibis, p. 206, 1894.) 



" Port Gallant, Feb. 3, 1903. Iris black. 



"I saw a small flock of these Dotterels at Port Gallant anchoraee. All 

 of them appeared to be immature. The two examples that I obtained 

 had the nape of the neck covered with down. Their note was a shrill 

 whistle." (M. J. Nicoll, Orn. Journ. Voy. Round World, Ibis, Jan., 1904, 

 p. 46.) 



Genus ^GIALITIS Boie. 



Type. 



jEgialitis, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 553 ; Sharpe, Cat. Bds. 

 Brit. Mus. XXIV. p. 254 (1896); id.. Hand-list 

 Bds. I. p. 154 (1899) Ai. hiaticola. 



