(AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER.)
+Hæmatopus palliatus+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 143; _Durnford,
Ibis_, 1878, p. 403 (Centr. Patagonia); _Seebohm, Plovers_, p.
305; _Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A._ i. p. 112.
_Description._--Head and neck all round black; back and wing-coverts
brown; upper tail-coverts, greater wing-coverts, and abdomen white;
bill and feet orange: whole length 17·0 inches, wing 9·5, tail 3·5.
_Female_ similar.
_Hab._ America.
This Oyster-catcher is widely distributed along the coasts of North and
South America, from Nova Scotia to Patagonia. Durnford found it nesting
near Tombo Point in Central Patagonia in the month of December, but
failed to obtain the eggs.
At the same place Durnford also observed the Black Oyster-catcher (_H.
ater_), but that is an Antarctic species, which may probably not come
further north.
Fam. XLVIII. THINOCORIDÆ, or SEED-SNIPES.
The family Thinocoridæ, which embraces the two genera _Thinocorus_ and
_Attagis_, is a peculiar group of South-American birds of somewhat
Partridge-like appearance, and associated by the older authors with the
Gallinæ, but now known to be most nearly allied in essential structure
to the Plovers. The Seed-Snipes are inhabitants of bare and desolate
districts, being found in the northern parts of the continent only on
the high Andes, but descending to the sea-level in Patagonia and the
Falkland Islands. The species are few in number, only about six being
known, of which two occur within Argentine limits.