SPUR-WING LAPWING 179 



giant grasses have disappeared) it is (or was) exces- 

 sively abundant ; and it is there resident, although, 

 as with most strong-winged resident species, some 

 individuals do certainly migrate, small parties being 

 occasionally seen in spring and autumn flying steadily 

 at a great height, apparently performing a long 

 journey. As a rule the birds pair for life, and remain 

 always on the spot where they breed. They may be 

 persecuted with guns, their eggs taken year after 

 year, even the ground turned up with the plough, 

 but they still refuse to be driven out. In regions 

 having a broken surface — chills, woods, and sheltered 

 hollows — ^birds naturally get attached to one spot, 

 for each locality possesses its own features, and 

 individuals frequenting it acquire a knowledge of 

 its advantages. The vast pampas have a uniform 

 level surface, and produce the same kinds of food 

 in the same quantities. They are parched with 

 droughts and flooded by rains alternately, and swept 

 by dust storms in summer and cold gales in winter 

 — ^violent enough, one would imagine, to drive every 

 winged creature away and obliterate all marks of 

 home. Again, the powerful flight of this species 

 would enable it to take long journeys, and if un- 

 affected by atmospheric changes, scarcity of food 

 and water might be a temptation to seek new regions. 

 But through all vicissitudes the Teru-teru clings to 

 its chosen spot of ground. 



In defence of its territory it wages perpetual war 

 against most Uving creatures, the objects of its special 

 abhorrence being men, dogs, Rheas, and birds of 



