156 
Capt. C. C. Abbott on the Birds 
catcher (Hamatopus leucopus). A hole, formed in the shingle 
just above high-water mark, generally on a point running out, 
is its favourite nesting-place. 
21. H^ematopus leucopus, Garnot. (Black and White 
Oyster-catcher.) 
This Oyster-catcher is also common along the sea-coast, lay¬ 
ing its eggs in the beginning of October, sometimes on the sea¬ 
shore, but more frequently a little way inland, on a dry, sandy 
soil. The eggs are two in number, as with the other species; 
and there is no attempt at a nest. 
22. Limosa hudsonica (Lath.). (Godwit or Jack-Snipe.) 
Blocks of this bird were seen at Mare Harbour in the month 
of May 1860. I shot two of them at Port Louis on the 20th 
of that month. Both of these birds had the red-barred breast, 
and this would therefore appear to be their winter-plumage, as 
those shot in the summer are white on the breast. I have never 
observed these Godwits during the winter months, and, when 
they have been here in summer, I have never seen or heard of 
their eggs being fouud. They are wary, and difficult to obtain 
by gunshot. 
23. Numenius brevirostris (Licht.). 
This Curlew is a straggler from the coast, of which a speci¬ 
men has been once^obtained by Captain Pack. I have never met 
with it. 
24. Gallinago magellanicus (King). (Snipe.) 
This Snipe generally appears in East Falkland about the 
middle of August, and lays very soon after arriving; for I have 
had my dog point at them on the nest on the 1st of September, 
and I have taken two eggs on that day. In the nests of this 
bird I have never seen more than two eggs, although I have 
frequently found them, and I believe two is the complement. In 
March they mostly take their departure, although a few stragglers 
remain all the year round. They make their nests under a tuft 
of grass, of which material also the nest itself is composed. 
25. Tringa bonapartii, Schlegel. (Sandpiper.) 
This little Sandpiper appears in the summer, and breeds in 
