tg^o.J Cape ^an Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 59 



381). wffigialitis falklandica Lalli. rutaj^oniau Sand - 

 Plover. 



Though this vspecies is, properly spcakin^^, also a winter 

 visitor — arriving from the south about the end of A[)ril and 

 leaving towards the end of August — yet a few pairs oeea- 

 sionally remain with us to breed, as I mentioned formerly in 

 'The Ibis,' April 1880, \). 1()3 ; hence the annotation in my 

 diary during the summer months of various individuals, 

 adults or young. These nesting cases are, however, excep- 

 tional : up to 1880 I ciironicled four ntsts taken, since 

 then only one, with the usual (juota of three eggs; and two 

 or three instances were noted, when the action of the adult 

 birds undoubtedly indicated the vicinity of a nest. 



In spite of Claude Grant's testimony to the al)undauce of 

 the species, I have a feeling that the Patagonian Sand-Plover 

 is not so abundant with us as formerly, ami the surmise is 

 borne out by my diary for many years past, the entries 

 being often far apart and relating to individuals or pairs, 

 with occasionally a small flock. Whilst generally affecting 

 low marshy ground or the borders of lagunas and ponds, 

 it is also to be found plentifully along the sea-coast 

 (hence doubtless Claude Grant^s conclusion, formed when 

 he was collecting at Cape San Antonio and its vicinity) ; 

 further inland a. pond amongst sandhills is a favourite 

 situation for a pair. 



The last nest of my taking (28 October, 1885) was similar 

 to those formerly described, a "scrape" with a iew straws 

 gathered into it, situated on a great mud-flat adjoining a 

 swamp. The bird ran a few yards on leaving it and then 

 crouched down. 



The full description of the eggs, the full clutch of which 

 does not seem to exceed three, is as follows: In shape a 

 pointed oval. The ground-colour (devoid of gloss) varies 

 from greenish grey to brownish buff, and is spotted all over 

 with black, more pronounced towaids the larger end. The 

 measurements are from 36 to 39 mm. in length and from 

 25 to 27 mm. in breadth. 



