1920.] Cape San An/onio, Buenos Ayres. 57 



grazed pastoral plains affording no shelter against missiles 

 the size ot" hazel-nuts and upwards. On the other hand, 

 tlood-seasons favour the Teru-teni's scheme of life, and it 

 flourishes accordingly. For example, I was amnzed in the 

 last great flood to find several pairs standing ahout on 

 masses of floating vegetation in the very heart of our deepest 

 swamps on the western side of the estancia, in default of 

 terra firnia. They did not nest there of course; but else- 

 where every tiny islet — if only a ruined and deserted ant's 

 nest — had its occupants Avith their '"scrape" or mound of 

 vegetation, and their mud-stained eggs ; whilst they also 

 occupied small openings amongst the woods, or nested within 

 a few yards oE the busy shearing or dipping corrals, their 

 abundance being so great that after the spring of 1914 I find 

 myself writing how " I do not pine to see Lapwing eggs on 

 the table again for many a long day ! " As an instance also 

 of their tameness or familiarity with man at that time^ is the 

 following example dated 5 February, 1914: "Was much 

 surprised to see a pair in the head-station patio in the middle 

 of a hot day. It is true that, being the siesta-hour, every- 

 thing was profoundly quiet, but nevertheless the occurrence 

 is unique."^ 



The eggs have been described by Hudson and myself. 

 They are so similar in size and appearance to those of the 

 Brazilian Stilt (Himantopus brasiliensis Brehm) as to be 

 inseparable. Taken as a whole, and studying a very large 

 series of both species in juxtaposition, I find that the Lap- 

 wing's are lighter in ground-colour, and the Stilt's has the 

 markings much larger and stronger. 



Those of the Lapwing average 46x33 mm., the largest 

 clutch being 47x31 mm., and the smallest 45x32 mm. 

 The Stilt's general average is 45x33 mm.; the largest 

 clutch 47 X 33 mm., the smallest 44 X 3.3 mm. 



387. Charadrius dominicus Midler. American Golden 

 Plover. 



The earliest appearance in our district of this migrant is 

 the 10th of September, and it remains until the end of 



