or little-known Liinicolse. 
257 
at once into the shoal water of a f cut-off ; from the river, 
which passed immediately in front of the house, and began 
to feed. I was near enough to see them immerse their bills 
into the water, and search the soft mud below for their prey; 
and as they, from time to time, were scattered, and again as¬ 
sembled in a group, I had ample time and an excellent oppor¬ 
tunity to note their manner of feeding. I was soon satisfied 
that their habits in this respect did not differ from those of R. 
americana, which I had previously seen in great numbers, 
and closely observed on the borders of the Ozo river, in 
southern Texas. After watching them for some time, I took 
my gun, and at a single discharge secured five of the dozen 
that composed the flock. The remainder flew the distance of 
a stone ; s throw, and, alighting in shoal water, began to feed 
again without appearing to notice the loss of their companions. 
I followed them, and in a few minutes procured three more 
within one hundred yards of the house. During that day, 
and several successive days that I remained at the post, I saw 
flocks of from six to ten on their feeding-grounds, both morn¬ 
ing and afternoon. I shot them, as well as Ducks and Snipe, 
daily; and at no time that I recollect had I any difficulty in 
approaching within easy gun-shot. 
“ A few days previously I had seen a very large flock of 
these birds near Yal Yerde, some 170 miles further up the 
river. This flock contained fifty or sixty birds; they rose 
near me as I fired at a flock of Teal, and circled round in very 
compact order, presenting the beautiful contrast of their white 
and black markings, and at length settled on the opposite 
side of the pond, where they were beyond pursuit. The oc¬ 
casions here mentioned are the only ones on which I have 
met with R. Occident alls. 
“ On the wing the flocks were usually closely compacted; the 
flight was buoyant, and with little exertion of muscular force.” 
A 
K,ecurvirqstr|s andina, Philippi & Landbeck. 
Recurvirostra andina , Philippi & Landbeck, Wiegm. Arch. 
1863, p. 131. 
Hab. Paruncota, in the Andes. 
