228 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



No Golden Plovers were observed until a short time before we left the conn- 

 try ; then, about the date of the departure of the Curlews, Numenius borealis, 

 they made their appearance in small numbers, in flocks of about a dozen or 

 more. Some of them were in very perfect plumage. 



Aegialitis semipalmatus (Bon.) Cab. — Ring Plover. "Ring-neck." 

 Charadrius semipalmattts, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 218, pi. 320. 

 Aegalitis semipalmatus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 694, 



The Ring Plovers are excessively abundant during the summer months 

 along the whole coast of Labrador, which is one of their favorite breeding lo- 

 calities. On the first of September they had not yet left the country, being 

 still as abundant as ever. When not separated into pairs for the purposes of 

 reproduction, they frequent mostly sandy beaches and muddy flats, where 

 they are found in loose straggling companies of from five or six to a dozen or 

 more individuals, associated with the Semipalmated and Bonaparte's Sand- 

 pipers. They scatter widely apart while searching for food, running swiftly 

 and gracefully over the sand, with the head lowered. They are at such times 

 usually silent, except when disturbed, when they utter a loud mellow whistle 

 on taking flight. Of all the smaller waders, none, with the exception of Bo- 

 naparte's Sandpiper, Actodromas Bonapartei, is so gentle and unsuspicious. 

 They never seem to notice an approach of a few yards, and indeed I have 

 sometimes found it difficult to force them to fly. They merely run swiftly a 

 few steps, and then stand perfectly motionless, regarding the intruder in si- 

 lence. The young run about as soon as hatched, and follow the parent, who 

 leads them in search of food. They are at this time prettily mottled with 

 black, light brownish and white, most of the under parts remaining of the 

 latter color. Birds of the year may at all times be distinguished from the 

 adults by the black of the bands being replaced by dull dirty ash. 



No individuals of the A. melodus were observed in Labrador, nor did I find 

 any indications of their presence there. From the fact of Audubon's finding 

 them at the Magdalene Islands, it is to be supposed that they breed, sparingly 

 at least, in the country. 



Stkepsilas interpkes (L.) 111. — Turnstone. " Chickling." 

 Strepsilas interpres, Aud., Birds Amer. v, 231, pi. 323. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 701. 

 The Turnstone I first observed at Henley Harbor, on the 20th of August, 

 when the smaller waders generally had commenced their southern migi-ation. 

 How long they remain in the country I do not know, but on the 1st of Sep- 

 tember they were apparently as numerous as ever. Though not a very abun- 

 dant species, I was enabled to procure a sufficient number of specimens, and 

 to observe its curious habits. It afforded me much pleasure to notice with 

 what dexterity they insert the bill beneath small stones and pebbles, and with 

 a quick jerk turning them over, seize upon their prey lurking beneath. Though 

 more sliy and wary than the Sandpipers usually are, they did not seem to be as 

 much so as the larger Tatlers. They are known to gunners by the name of 

 "Chicklings." 



Phalaeopus fulicarifs (L.) Bon. — Red Phalarope. "Bay-bird," 



Phalaropus fuUcarius, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 291, pi. 339. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 

 707. 

 Three specimens of this species were shot at sea, off Belle-Isle, from a flock 

 of six. They were flying in a very compact body, much in the manner of the 

 smaller Sandpipers, for which I at first aaistook them. The sailors called them 

 "Bay birds." While at sea we frequently saw this species, or the P. hyper- 

 boreus, resting gracefully on the water, particularly near masses of floating 

 seaweed. Indeed, the Phalaropes, as a genus, are noted among all the smaller 



[Aug. 



