330 AMEKICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



to a standstill, and remains perfectly quiet for some 

 time. 



The piping plover {^^giaUtis melodus), is found in the 

 Eastern and Middle States; the snowy plover [^gialitis 

 cantiana) is a resident of the regions beyond the Eocky 

 Mountains; the surf bird of the Pacific Coast, Aphriza 

 virgata, which seems to be the connecting link between 

 plovers and oyster-catchers, seldom leaves the vicinity of 

 the ocean; and the mountain plover [Eudromias monfa- 

 mis), which seems to have no partiality for water, wanders 

 from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. 



Next to the plovers comes the oyster-catcher {Hcema- 

 topus palUatus), which is found on the shores of the At- 

 lantic and Pacific Oceans, though not in large numbers. 

 This is black or brown above; the under parts below the 

 breast are white; the bill is red or orange, somewhat com- 

 pressed, and knife-like; the rump is white; a i"ing of the 

 same hue encircles the eye; and the legs are flesh-color. 

 The turnstone {Strepsilas interpres), which receives its 

 name from its habit of turning over stones and pebbles 

 with its bill when searching for food, is a resident of the 

 shores of both oceans. It has a curious piebald appear- 

 ance, as it displays white, black, brown, and chestnut- 

 red colors, but the latter is wanting in winter. The 

 American avocet, or blue stocking {Recw-virostra ameri- 

 cann), has exceedingly long blue legs; a long, slender, 

 and black bill with an upward curve; and red eyes. Its 

 general color is white, but the back and wings show a 

 good deal of black, and the neck and head are cinnamon- 

 brown. The latter parts are of an ashy hue in the young. 



The stilt, or long shanks {Himantopus nigricollis), has 

 carmine legs, a black bill, and is glossy-black above; the 

 side of the liead and neck, the rump, and the under parts 

 are white. This is very common on the Southern 3oast 

 during the winter, but it is not shot much, not being 

 highly prized as an addition to the table. The phala- 



