700 



U. S. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



which, oddly enough, though at present unknown, appears to be figured by Wilson as cited 

 above. The determining of the summer plumage of this bird is a problem of much interest. 



We have no specimens from Western North America in the collections of the surveying 

 expeditions. 



List of specimens. 



HAEMATOPUS NIGER, Pallas. 



Bachman's Oyster Catcher. 



Haematopus niger, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-Asiat. II, 1811, 131. 



Haematopus bachmani, Aud. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 245 ; pi. 427.— Ib. Syn. 229.— Ib. Birds Amer. V, 1842, 243 ; pi. 

 325.— TowNsEND, Narr. 1839, 348. 



Sp. Ch. — Rather smaller than the preceding ; bill rather more slender, wings long ; legs robust ; tarsi covered with ovate 

 scales ; tail short. Head and neck brownish black, with a glaucous or ashy tinge in very adult specimens. All other parts of 

 the plumage, above and below dark brown, raiher darkest on the rump ; bill bright red ; legs pale reddish, nearly white. 



Total length about 17 inches ; wing, 10^ ; tail, 41 ; bill to gape, 3J ; tarsus, 2 inches. 



Hab. — Western coast of the United States. Curile Islands, (Pallas.) 



This bird appears to be restricted to the shores of western North America, and, according to 

 Pallas, of northeastern Asia and the islands intermediate between the two continents. We 

 have no doubt that the name given by the distinguished Eussian naturalist just mentioned 

 applies to the present species. 



List of specimens. 



HAEMATOPUS ATER, Vieillot. 



Uaemalopus alcr, Vieillot, Galerie, II, 1825, 88 ; pi. cc.xx.\. 

 llaemalopus niger, Cuv. R. A. I, 1829, 504. 



Uaemalopus townsendii, Aud. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 247; pi. 427.— In. Syn. 229.— Ib. Birds Amer. V, 1842,245; 

 pi. 326. 



Figures. — Voy. Uranie, Birds, pi. '34. 



Sp. Ch.— Larger than either of the preceding ; bill straight, rather slender ; wings long ; legs shorter than in the preceding, 

 very robust ; tarsi covered with small circular and hexagonal scales; tail short. Entire plumage brownish black, lighter on 

 the under parts of the body ; bill and eyelids bright red ; legs red. Total length about 18 inches ; wing, lOJ ; tail, 4i ; bill to 

 gape, 3; ; tarsus, 2 inches. 



ffab. — Western coast of the United States? South America. Coast of Chili, (Lieut. Gilliss.) 



It is not at all probable that this bird is entitled as yet to be regarded as belonging 



