MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 141 



of breeding. I afterwards learned that further west, where the prairies were 

 entirely destitute of timber, and where this bird was very common, they 

 always nested on the ground, as from necessity of course they must. The 

 fact, however, is interesting as showing how readily the bird greatly modi- 

 fies its breeding habits to suit its surroundings, while other tree-nesting 

 species disappear entirely in regions where there are no trees. The 

 present species, however, seems everywhere but slightly dependent upon 

 trees, as it seeks its food in fields, and not in forests.* 



MELEAGRIDJE. 



47. Meleagris gallopavo. Common along the timbered portions of the 

 streams, which here form its western limit. 



TETRAONIDjE. 



48. Cupidonia cupido. Rare. It is every year, however, advancing 

 westward. Was first seen in the vicinity of Fort Hays about two years 

 since, and is apparently fast becoming common. 



49. Pedicecetes phasianellus, var. columbianus. Common along 

 the streams. It is here called the " grouse," in distinction from the prairie- 

 hen ; but further west, beyond the range of the true prairie-hen, it is almost 

 universally called " prairie-hen " or " prairie-chicken." 



PERDICIDJE. 



50. Ortyx virginianus. Occasional, but every year is becoming more 

 common. Like the prairie-hen, it is quite rapidly working westward, fol- 

 lowing the settlers. 



CHARADRIID^I. 



51. .ffigialitis vociferus. Common everywhere. To the collector an 

 unmitigated nuisance, from their incessant screaming about his head wher- 

 ever he goes. 



52. iEgialitis montanus. Moderately common. Unlike the preceding 

 species, they are quite unsuspicious and retiring, and nearly always silent. 



SCOLOPACIDJE. 



53 Tringoides macularius. Common. 



54 Actiturus Bartramius. Not common. 



55 Numenius longirostris. A few pairs were observed near Fort 

 Hays, where they were breeding. 



56. Numenius hudsonicus. A single specimen was seen and shot 

 June 15th. 



* Since the above was written I have been informed by Professor 0. C. Marsh that he 

 has often found the eggs and young of this species on the ground in Western Kansas 

 and in Colorado. He says (in a letter): " Once I flushed a female who was covering a 

 couple of very young birds on the ground, not in a nest, but in a small depression on the 

 g^ouwH." 



