BIRDS OF KANSAS. 213 



the low hinds, margins of streams or pools of water; in fact, 

 appears to be at home wherever it may alight. As a rule it 

 is easily approached, not being either wise or timid. While 

 collecting in the winter of 1889, at Coatapec, Mexico, a pair 

 came daily to feed and dress up their feathers beside a little 

 run or gutter in the center of the narrow paved street opposite 

 my room in the hotel, regardless of the people on the side- 

 walks, only running or dodging to avoid a person crossing, or 

 to keep out of the way of the pack mules, etc., that are almost 

 continually passing; and it is not uncommon for the birds to 

 alight upon our streets and within our dooryards. Upon the 

 ground they run swiftly, but with too stiff legs to be graceful, 

 often squatting to rest or hide. 



The parent birds both assist in hatching and raising the 

 young, and are very solicitous and demonstrative in their efforts 

 to protect them; and, in doing so, beautifully display, with quiv- 

 ering wings and fan-spread tail, their varied colors. Upon the 

 wing they are swift and easy, and at all times make known their 

 approach and presence in a vociferous manner. Their food 

 consists chiefly of insect life. 



Their nests are placed on the dry ground, in a small depres- 

 sion, usually beneath a bunch of grass or weeds, in the vicinity 

 of streams and pools of water, lined sparingly with bits of old 

 grass or weeds, chiefly about the edges. Eggs usually four, 

 1.45x1.05; buff to drab white, spotted and blotched with um- 

 ber and blackish brown; thickest about larger end; pyriform in 

 shape, very obtuse at larger end and sharply pointed at the 



other. 



Subgenus ^GIALITIS Boie. 

 Tarsus less than twice as long as bill, measiirecl from anterior point of 

 loral feathering; chest with a black, grayish or rusty band, sometimes iutei- 

 rupted in the middle portion. {Bidgway.) 



^gialitis semipalmata Bonap. 



SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. 

 PLATE XII. 



Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive in April to middle of 

 May; begin to return early in August, occasionally remaining 

 until late in the fall. 



