REPORT UPON ORNITHOLOGICAL SPECIMENS. 



93 



times wore very shy and wild. The young birds well grown were seen 

 July 10, so that the eggs are deposited by the first of May. The nest is 

 simply a small cavity scratched in the earth under a projecting rock, 

 sometimes with a slight lining of sticks and grasses, but ofteuer with- 

 out. In winter they descend into the timber, and are then so tame as 

 to be often killed with clubs. 



(the Plovers). 



92. ^Egialitis vociferus (L.) Kildeer-Plover. 



Frequently met with in pairs in June along the water-courses. I 

 found the young just from the nest June 14. 



93. JEgialitls montanus (Towns.) Rocky-Mountain Plover. 



This species was met with but in one locality, on the dry plains near 

 the Eio Grande. It is to be regretted that lack of time did not allow 

 a more careful examination of the habits of this little known species. 

 While riding rapidly along in an ambulance I saw quite a number, and 

 shot three as they ran from before the horses and halted a few feet from 

 the road. From their actions I was certain that their eggs were near 

 by, but a short search did not reveal them. Upon dissecting a female, I 

 found an egg nearly ready to be deposited. This was June 10. They 

 were very tame, running along the ground a few feet ahead, and uttering 

 a low, croaking note. 



SCOLOPACID^E (the Snipes). 



94. Tringoides macularlus (L.) Spotted Sandpiper. 



A few individuals were seen in June. Doubtless breed. 



KECURVIROSTRID^' (the Stilts and Avocets). 



95. Recurvirostra americana, Gm. Avocet. 



An abundant summer- resident on the shores of the alkali lakes north- 

 west of Garland. At the time of my visit, June 21, the greater number 

 evidently had young, as I found many broken egg-shells along the 

 shores. Wherever I went, the parent-birds manifested the greatest 

 solicitude, flying about my head in flocks, and uttering their loud, hoarse 

 cries. They are adept swimmers, freely alighting on the surface of the 

 water, where they float buoyantly and gracefully. The food of these 



