60 Mr. E. Gibson on the ODiithohrpj of [Ibis, 



391. Oreophilus ruficollis Wagl. Slender-billed Plover. 

 Bill black; legs pink or pale magenta; feet blackish. 

 This very handsome and interesting Plover comes to ns 



from the south about the beginning of A[)ril and leaves 

 towards the middle of August. It is a shy bird, equally 

 swift afoot and on the wing, and is generally found asso- 

 ciated with the Winter Plover {Eudromias modesta Lieht.) 

 in more or less considerable numbers. From the large size 

 and extraordinary fatness of the species it is much sought 

 after by the gunner. Fortunately, the visual power of the 

 enormously developed eyes and the constant activity and 

 unceasing wariness stand the bird in good stead. The 

 scattered flock runs rapidly over the open plain, and on the 

 slightest alarm takes to flight and removes itself to safety. 



Only in the act of taking wing is the note heard — a rich 

 clear " ehurr,'^ dying down and out. 



I would put upon record that the skin of the Slender- 

 billed Plover is one of the worst to deal with that 1 know. 

 Apart from the great amount of fat, the skin itself — wet or 

 dry — is as thin and delicate as tissue paper. 



The species undoubtedly is King of our Plovers in size, 

 carriage, and bold richly-coloured plumage. 



392. HaBiiiatopus palliatus Temm. American Oyster- 

 catcher. 



This Oyster-catcher is a most striking bird and not likely 

 to be overlooked, either on the lonely Atlantic sea-coast (of 

 which it is a permanent resident and the principal one) or 

 on the cangrejales and salt-water lagunas of the Rincones. 

 The Laguna del Palenque on one side of the Yngleses and 

 that of Milan on the other limit its range inland so far as 

 we are coricerned ; and when, in the flood of 1913-15, these 

 — and indeed all the adjacent cangrejales — ran to fresh 

 water, the species totally abandoned the latter haunts and 

 confined itself to the sea-shore. 



It is always fouud in pairs, is not particularly shy, and 

 the call is a loud clear note, frequently uttered whilst the 

 bird is on the wing. 



