Vol. II, Pt. I] GIFFORD— BIRDS OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 51 



it is prenuptial or postnuptial, as I have no observations on 

 the reproductive organs. 



It not infrequently occurs that some of the middle wing- 

 coverts, when fresh, have a narrow white margin. I do not 

 know of what significance these are. 



Specimens from Baja California obtained about the middle 

 of July, 1905, are in worn plumage. All are beginning the 

 postnuptial moult. In one case a bird is getting a new rectrix, 

 but in all others nothing beyond the body-plumage has been 

 affected. 



Frazar's Oyster-catcher was found to be quite evenly dis- 

 tributed on all of the islands named above, but seldom more 

 than three or four individuals were seen at one time. Singly 

 or in pairs, we met with them along the rocky coasts, where 

 they did most of their feeding. Occasionally they were seen 

 on the sandy beaches, wdiich are quite extensive on the larger 

 islands. As a rule they were very fearless, and several were 

 killed with stones. 



In traveling over the smooth beaches this species either 

 walks or runs, being able in the latter case to travel quite 

 rapidly. One day on South Seymour two kept just ahead of 

 us for about one hundred yards along a beach, running slowly 

 all the time. AVhen anchoring at James Bay, James Island, 

 on August 6, three flew by the vessel, and later we met them 

 on the beach. They alighted a hundred yards or so above us, 

 and then started on the run in our direction. They acted as 

 though the}^ were racing, keeping abreast most of the time, 

 and maintaining a steady pace. When among the rocks, these 

 birds do considerable jumping from one rock to another, often 

 using their wings to aid them. 



Their flight is nothing like that of a snipe for swiftness and 

 gracefulness, nor is it as erratic as the Hudsonian Curlew's. 

 Usually, when over the water, the birds fly at a height of ten 

 or twenty feet, while along the shores they keep lower down. 

 Their wing-beats are more rapid than a gull's. 



On two occasions this species was observed swimming, but 

 not through choice. In one case a wounded one took to the 

 water, and, upon being approached with the boat, dived three 

 or four times. Another individual, wounded while flying 



