264 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS I ZOOLOGY. 



the upper surface, which are very distinct in the latter (first full plumage) 

 at first. Afterward they become abraded, and then there is scarcely any 

 distinguishing mark between the winter plumages of the adult and young. 

 In the spring the red plumage is very rapidly acquired, and I believe that 

 it is gained quite as much by change in the pattern of the feather as by 

 direct moult." (Sharpe, Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., XXIV, p. 98, 1896). 

 "Male: Talcahuano, September 9, 1879. Iris brown; bill horn-colour 

 legs and feet red." Sharpe, P. Z. S., 1881, p. 15. 



Geographical Range. Nearly the whole world, but chiefly on sea 

 coasts. 



So far as known, Arenaria interpres has not been taken in Patagonia, 

 but it seems probable that it occurs in the area under consideration. 

 The citations from the eastern coast of South America indicate the prox- 

 imity of the species, and its well known nomadic habits point to its being 

 recorded upon a more careful and thorough investigation of the Pata- 

 gonian region. Therefore it is included in this work. 



The nearest points of record are in Chili and' Brazil, and from islands 

 in the South Atlantic, Tajcahuano, Chili, Cajutuba and Bahia, Brazil, and 

 the Galapagos Islands. 



"About the first week in June the Turnstone deposits its eggs, its nest 

 being a mere depression in the soil, sometimes sparingly lined with a few 

 grass-bents, the locality selected being usually, if not always, a sandy or 

 rocky soil. On the island of Riigen, Naumann says, it breeds regularly 

 in sandy flats covered with heath and a few scrubby juniper bushes, and 

 also in bare sandy places ; and Mr. R. Collet writes respecting its nidi- 

 fication on the Norwegian coast as follows: 'The last few years I have 

 examined a considerable number of the nests of this species, in particular 

 on the coast of Namdalen in June, 1871. They are mostly built under 

 large stones, or beneath broad-leaved plants (Archangelica littoralis, or 

 juniper bushes] ; and several pairs were generally found breeding in close 

 proximity. The eggs, invariably four in number, were quite fresh in the 

 middle of June. In their breeding-haunts the birds exhibited great alarm, 

 but did not, like the Charadrii, feign to be wounded. Incubation spots 

 were found in both sexes. The stomachs of those examined contained 



