198 
Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 
resemble tbe females. Iris wood-brown; feet and legs vary 
from dull yellowish green to orange. Their food consists of 
fibrous vegetable matter and seeds. A few seen at Baradero 
in April. 
125. Himantopus brasiliensis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1873, 
p. 454. 
Himantopus nigricollis , Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 144. 
Occasionally resident, the greater part leaving us in the 
spring and summer. Common in every marsh and on the 
banks of every “ arroyo” in the country. Their movements 
on the ground are very graceful and elegant, and they walk 
or run with equal ease. They generally go in small parties, 
and when disturbed will often circle for a long time high above 
one’s head, uttering angry screams at the intruder. Iris car¬ 
mine ; legs between scarlet and bright pink; beak nearly 
black. Common at Baradero in April. 
-f-126. Phalaropus wilsoni, Sabine; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. 
p. 144. 
The only specimens I have were shot by a friend a little to 
the west of Buenos Ayres in February. 
127. Gallinago Paraguay (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 
1868, p. 144. 
The greater part of these birds are migratory, arriving in 
April and leaving in August; but though I have not yet found 
any nests, I feel sure some few breed in this neighbourhood. 
During the winter they are sometimes extremely numerous, 
affording excellent sport: but their movements are very un¬ 
certain ; for where there may be hundreds one day, the next 
there are scarcely any to be seen. At this season they go in 
small parties, or in flocks numbering three or four hundred 
birds. During the spring they go through the same aerial 
movements as the common Snipe at home, rising to a great 
height by a circling motion, and “drumming” whilst descend¬ 
ing in a diagonal line. How is this curious habit to be ac¬ 
counted for in the South-American and European forms, ex¬ 
cept by the theory of inheritance from a common progenitor ? 
