G4 U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



CIIARADEIUS HELVETICUS, Linn .Black-bellied Plover. 



Charadrius hdvdicm, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. V, p. 199, pi. 315. NUTT, Orn. vol. II, p. 25. 

 Vanellus hdveticus, WILS. Am. Orn vol. VIE, p. 42, pi. 57, fig. 4. 

 Tringa helvetica, GMEL. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 676. 



I shot a single specimen of this bird on the seashore of San Diego, in February, 1851, but 

 have seen it several times exposed for sale in the iSan Francisco market. 



? CHARADRIUS CANTIANUS, Lath .Kentish Plover. 



Charadrius cantianus, LATH. Birds, vol. IX, p. 328. GOULD, B. of Eur. vol. IV, pi. 293. YARRELL, Brit. Birds, vol 



II, p. 405. 

 Kentish plover, MACGILL. Brit. Birds, vol. VI, p. 44, pi. 186. 



A young plumaged bird^ of the genus Cliaradrius, previously unknown to us as a North 

 American species, was obtained at San Diego, in January, 1854. It so closely resembles in its 

 young plumage the European plover (Cliaradrius cantianus} that I do not feel justified, at 

 present, in describing it as a distinct species, more especially so as I did not procure the adult. 

 The following is the description of the specimen procured : Upper parts of a brownish ash 

 color, the primaries being of a dusky black. Wing coverts edged with white. Forehead, 

 breast, a collar around the neck, and all the under parts, white. On each side of the breast 

 an ash brown spot, which color also is that of the auriculars. Bill black. Feet dark brown. 

 Length six inches. I found it associated in flocks with the peep, (Tringa ivilsoni,} resorting to 

 the sea beach, which, exposed, at low tide, offers a bountiful supply of food to many species of 

 waders. The low plaintive whistle of this plover is often repeated as it glides along the sandy 

 beach, occasionally coming to a stand and gazing around for some moments as if on the lookout 

 for danger. While thus stationary this bird is not readily perceived, as its color approaches 

 closely that of the sand on which it rests. 



CHARADRIUS MONT ANUS, Towns .Rocky Mountain Plover. 



Charadrius montanus, TOWNS, Jour. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. VII, p. 192. AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. V, p. 213, pi. 318. 



I first met with this quiet and gentle bird on the plains near the Pueblo Los Angelos, in the 

 month of November, scattered in small flocks industriously gleaning their subsistence over these 

 broad levels. They appeared unsuspicious, uttering a low whistle when disturbed and flying 

 but a short distance, resuming their occupation at once on alighting. I procured a pair of these 

 birds in New Mexico and saw several flocks there, usually in the vicinity of prairie dog villages 

 or on the most arid plains. 



APHRIZA VIROATA, Gmelin . Townsend s Surf Bird. 



Aphriza toivnsendii, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. V, p. 228, pi. 323. 

 Aphriza virgata, BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 698. 



I obtained this bird in the San Francisco market in the winter of 1849, and subsequently in 

 June, met with it on the Farrallone Islands. They there gathered in small flocks engaged 

 in picking up marine insects from its rock bound shores, covered with kelp and shell fish. They 

 did not appear wild, for when fired at, uttering a low mping note as they flew, they soon 

 alighted again. Closely pursued, however, they would, after several shots, fly away beyond 

 danger to the adjoining islands of the group. 



