{326 MOUNTAIN PLOVER. 



abandon their maritime life, and resort to mountainous, mossy lands, as is also the custom? 

 with several other species. On my way to Labrador, I saw some of them in almost every place 

 at which we landed ; and when I reached Nartasguan Bay, they were breeding in all the spots 

 that were adapted for that purpose. Their manners formed an agreeable subject of observa- 

 tion to all the members of my party. As soon as one of us was noticed by a Ring Plover, it 

 would at once stand still and become silent. If we did the same, it continued, and seldom 

 failed to wear out our patience. If we advanced, it would lower itself and squat on the moss, or 

 bare rock, until approached, when it would suddenly rise on its feet, droop its wings, depress 

 its head, and run with great speed to a considerable distance, uttering all the while a low, roll- 

 ing, and querulous cry, very pleasing to the ear. On being surprised, when in charge of their 

 young, they would open their wings to the full extent, and beat the ground with their extrem- 

 ities, as if unable to rise. If pursued, they allowed us to come within a few feet, then took 

 flight, and attempted to decoy us away from their young, which lay so close that we very 

 seldom discovered them, but which, on being traced, ran swiftly off, uttering a plaintive peep, 

 often repeated, but never failing to bring their parents to their aid. At Labrador, the Ring 

 Plover begins to breed in the beginning of June. On the 2d of July I procured several young 

 birds, apparently about a week old ; they ran briskly to avoid us, and concealed themselves 

 so closely by squatting, that it was very difficult to discover them even when only a few feet 

 distant. 



"This species, like the Piping Plover (JEgialites melodus, Ord.\ forms no nest; and 

 whilst the latter scoops a place in the sand for its eggs, the Ring Plover forms a similar cavity 

 in the moss, in a place sheltered from the north winds, and exposed to the full rays of the 

 sun, usually near the margins of small ponds formed by the melting of the snow, and sur- 

 rounded by short grass. Some of these pools are found on the tops of the highest rocks of 

 that country. The eggs, like those of all the family, are four, and placed with the small ends 

 together. They are broad at the larger end, rather sharp at the other, measure 1J inches in> 

 length, 7J inches in their greatest breadth, are of a dull yellowish color, irregularly blotched, 

 and spotted all over with dark brown of different tints. The young are at first of a yellowish- 

 gray color, prettily marked with darker spots on the shoulders and rump. As soon as their 

 parents dismissed them, they were observed searching for food among the drying cod-fish, and 

 along the beaches. 



"By the 12th of August, all the individuals which had bred in Labrador and Newfound- 

 land, had taken their departure, migrating southward in company with the Phalaropes and 

 Sandpipers. Many of these birds proceed by our great lakes and rivers, they being sometimes' 

 seen in September along the shores of the Ohio and Mississippi. At this period they are now 

 and then observed on ploughed lands, where they appear to procure different species of seeds- 

 and insects. Along the whole extent of our Atlantic shores they are numerous at this season, 

 and great numbers are killed, the flesh of the young birds especially being juicy and tender. 



"The flight of this species is swift and sustained. They are fond of associating with other 

 birds of similar habits, and are generally unsuspicious, so that they are easily approached. 

 When on wing, their notes are sharp, sonorous, and frequently repeated. The young members 

 of my party were often much amused by witnessing our pointer chasing the old birds, whilst 

 the latter, as if perfectly aware of the superiority in speed, would seem to coax him on, and 

 never failed to exhaust him by flying along the declivities of the rocks up to their summits, 

 and afterwards plunging downwards to the base, thus forming great circuits over a limited 

 range. Their food consists of small Crustacea, mollusca, and the eggs of various marine animals. 

 The old males are very pugnacious in their breeding season, and engage in obstinate conflicts, 

 drooping their wings, and having their tail fully spread out in the manner of some species of 

 Grouse on similar occasions." 



THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER (Podasocys montanus). This is remarkably circumscribed in 

 its Jidbitat, being confined to the region bounded by the northern line of the United States, the 

 centre of Kansas, Nebraska, South-western Dakota, Mexico, and the Pacific Coast. Mr. Cassin 

 surmised that it penetrated to South America in winter. It is known to breed in the northern. 



