(WINTER PLOVER.)
+Vanellus modestus+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 502 (Pampas).
+Eudromias modesta+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 143; _iid. P. Z.
S._ 1868, p. 144 (Buenos Ayres); _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 197
(Buenos Ayres), et 1878, p. 402 (Centr. Patagonia); _Barrows,
Auk_, 1884, p. 313 (Entrerios); _Withington, Ibis_, 1888, p. 472
(Lomas de Zamora). +Charadrius modestus+, _Seebohm, Plovers_, p.
105.
_Description._--Above brownish cinereous; frontal band and
superciliary stripe white; wings and central tail-feathers blackish;
lateral tail-feathers white, the inner ones with an imperfect black
subterminal band: beneath, throat cinereous, breast bright chestnut
with a black band below; belly white; bill black, base of lower
mandible yellowish; feet brown: whole length 7·5 inches, wing 5·3,
tail 2·4. _Female_ similar. _Young_ without the rufous chest.
[Illustration: WINTER PLOVER. (Seebohm's 'Plovers,' p. 105.)]
_Hab._ Antarctic America.
This species in its gait, flight, and general appearance closely
resembles the American Golden Plover, but is smaller than that bird,
and its sober upper plumage is unrelieved with flecks of golden colour.
It breeds in South Patagonia and the Falklands, and migrates north in
autumn, appearing on the pampas in April, and being met with there
throughout the winter; hence the vernacular name _Chorlito 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 flight, and is seen in flocks
varying greatly in number, from a dozen to two or three hundred
individuals. When feeding the birds scatter very widely, running swiftly
over the ground in all directions. When on the wing it frequently utters
its cry, which has not the mellow tone of the Golden Plover's note, but
it is wonderfully clear and far-reaching, and impresses the listener
with its wildness and melancholy.
Their return migration takes place in August.