Ægialitis falklandica, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 143; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 144 (Buenos Ayres), et 1872, p. 549 (Rio Negro); Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 402 (Centr. Patagonia); Gibson, Ibis, 1880, p. 163 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 313 (Entrerios). Charadrius falklandicus, Seebohm, Plovers, p. 155.
Description.—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: whole length 7·0 inches, wing 5·0, tail 2·1. Female similar.
Hab. Patagonia, Falkland Islands, Chili, and Argentina.
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 dozen in number. It is extremely active, always preferring wet grounds to dry, and runs rapidly over the mud in search of food like a Tringa. Its only language is a low clicking note uttered when taking wing.
Some individuals remain to breed as far north as the pampas of Buenos Ayres. Mr. Gibson says the nest is always placed near the water, and is a slight scrape in the ground lined with dry grass. The eggs are three in number, have black spots on an olive ground; and in shape resemble Lapwing’s eggs.
Durnford also found it breeding in the Chupat Valley in September 1877.
[390.] ÆGIALITIS COLLARIS (Vieill.).
(AZARA’S SAND-PLOVER.)
Charadrius azaræ, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 501. Ægialitis collaris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 143; Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 67 (Buenos Ayres); id. Ibis, 1880, p. 424 (Tucuman); White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 628 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 313 (Entrerios). Charadrius collaris, Seebohm, Plovers, p. 173. “Cinereous Plover,” Hudson, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 261.
Description.—Above brown; front white; fore half of head and line between bill and eyes black; top of head and sides of neck tinged with rusty red; primaries blackish with bright shafts and slight white edgings; tail with the central rectrices blackish brown, lateral rectrices white: beneath white; pectoral collar black; bill black; feet yellow: whole length 6·0 inches, wing 4·1, tail 2·0. Female similar.