1920.] ('(ipc San Antonio, Jhienoft Jyrcs. 61 



I have no knowledge of Iioav and where the inland birds 

 nest. But those of the coast are certainly late breeders — 

 from the beginning of December to the middle of January 

 (though I have taken a chick, several days old^ so unusually 

 early as 8 December). Tlie nest, or "scrape," is a mere 

 hollow situated amidst shells and sea-drift some distance 

 above high-water mark, from which tiie birds can dominate 

 all sides exce[)t the sand-dunes in the rear. Hence it is more 

 easily found when the observer appears suddenly over these 

 and marks the sitting-bird as it takes to flight. 



Like Claude Grant, I liave never known the clutch to 

 exceed two, and I would go further and mention instances 

 of a single chick or one much-incubated egg. 



These eggs are very handsome, and if from their protective 

 coloration not particularly distinguishable in situ, show up 

 prominently in a cabinet. The ground-colour is either of a 

 pale yellow or warm bufi^, marked with purplish spots and 

 large bold dark brown or black blotches with some streaks 

 of the same ; below the surface there are occasionally a few 

 smaller pale mauve spots and markings. They are of an 

 oval-pointed shape, and average .55 x 37 mm. 



393. Thinocorus nimicivorus h]schsch. Common Seed- 

 Snipe. 



This Patagonian bird visits lis in the winter, arriving 

 about 20 March and leaving early in September. The flocks 

 vary in size from half-a-dozen to fifteen or twenty; occa- 

 sionally even separate pairs may be found. 



A curious combination of the characteristics of, sav, a 

 miniature Grouse and a small I'lover, the Common Seed- 

 Snipe is most interesting in many ways ; and accordinoly 

 JNIr. Hudson details its habits and n.ianners of life at length 

 and with much accuracy. I would emphasise, moreover, his 

 account of how a flock will crouch motionless on the ground 

 and submit to the pi-esence amongst them of an intruder, if 

 supposed to be harmless. T. particularly recall, on one 

 occasion, how 1 had drawn bridle at a piece of rough ground 

 and walked by chance into the midst of one lot. On 



