502 MR. 0. SALVIN ON THE AVIFAUNA 



HiEMATOPUS PALLIATUS. 

 Hamatopus palliatus, Temm. Man. d'Orn. ii. p. 532; Scl. & Salv. P.Z. S. 1870, p. 323; Sundev. 

 P. Z. S. 1871, p. 125. 



Hah. Galapagos (Sundevall) ; Indefatigable Island {Habel). 



" This bird is either found in solitary individuals or three or four a short distance 

 apart. They remain perched motionless on the rocks along the shore, or, moving slowly, 

 watch for crabs. They are shy birds, not permitting a near approach. They run a 

 short distance before rising to fly, and in doing so utter the cry tira, tira, as the 

 inhabitants of the mainland pronounce it; and from this cry they take their name. 

 They feed on crabs. The eyelid is of a scarlet colour." — H. 



Genus Himantopus. 

 Also widely distributed. H. nigricollis is abundant in North America, and southward 

 along the northern parts of South America. 



Himantopus nigeicollis. 

 Himantopus nigricollis, VieiU. N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. x. p. 41 ; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 323, et 

 1873, p. 453. 



Hab. Indefatigable Island [Habel). 



As already mentioned in the last reference given above, it is this species, and not the 

 more southern H. brasiliensis, that occurs in the Galapagos. 



Concerning it Dr. Habel says, " the Black-necked Stilt is to be met with in flocks of 

 four or five, always in company with other wading birds, frequenting the lagoons in 

 search of its food, which consists of crabs and other crustaceans. Next to Nwmenius 

 hudsonicus, it is the shyest bird on the islands, not permitting one to approach. Its red 

 legs, white breast, and black wings give it a very neat appearance." — H. 



Genus Strepsilas. 

 One of the most widely distributed genera of birds, S. interpres being probably found 

 on the shores of all parts of the world. 



Strepsilas interpres. 



Tringa interpres, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 248. 



Strepsilas interpres, Darwin, Zool. Voy. Beagle, iii. p. 132; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 323. 



Hab. Galapagos (Barwm) ; Indefatigable and Bindloe Islands (Habel). 



" This bird is found in flocks of varying numbers either on the rocks, on the beach, 

 or in company with other waders in the lagoons. Like the other aquatic birds it is 

 somewhat shy, and, not allowing of a close approach, is very vigilant. Crabs and small 

 crustaceans seem to be its chief food." — H. 



