(PATAGONIAN SAND-PLOVER.)
+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.