i88 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



hence the vernacular name Ckorlito de invierno 

 (Little Winter Plover). In its winter dress the upper 

 plumage is greyish drab colour; the breast dark 

 brown; the belly white. It is shy and active in 

 disposition, has a very rapid flighty and is seen in 

 flocks varying greatly in number, from a dozea to 

 two or three hundred individuals. When feeding 

 the birds scatter very widely, running swiftly over 

 the ground in all directipns. When on the wing it 

 frequently utters its cry, which has not the mellow 

 tone of the Golden Plover's note, but it is wonder- 

 fully clear and far-reaching, and impresses the 

 listener with its wildness and melancholy. 

 Their return migration takes place in August. 



PATAGONIAN RINGED PLOVER 



Mgialitis falklandicus 



Above brown ; front white ; band across forehead and sides of head 

 black, bordered with rufous ; wings black, with bright shafts and white 

 edges to the base of some of the inner primaries ; central tail-feathers 

 black, lateral white, with a more or less distinct subterminal blackish 

 band, except on the outer pair ; beneath white, crossed by two broad 

 blackish bands on the breast ; bill and feet black ; length 7, wing 5 

 inches. Female similar. 



The pretty little Belted Plover inhabits the Falklands 

 and South Patagonia, and migrates north in winter 

 as far as Paraguay ; but it is not anywhere common, 

 and is seldom seen in parties exceeding half a doz^n 

 in number. It is extremely active, always preferring 

 wet grounds to dry, and runs rapidly over the mud 



