174 



PILECOCIAL riUALLATOUES — LIMICOLJ:. 



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They frequont the dry fp-assy pastures exclusively, and although but a few rods from 

 the sea-beaoh, never .visit it. They were in large ttochs scattered over the plains, 

 and Avere rather diftiodt to slioot. except as they chanced to fly near, being very 

 shy if approached when on tlie ground. 



At Fort Mohave Dr. Cooper found a few piiirs in March which seemed to have 

 nests on the dry gravelly hlntfs. lie describes them as being less noisy than the 

 Kildcer, althongli their cries much resend)l(' those of that bird. In the autumn, 

 when started from the ground, tliey uttered a low whistle, and flew around in large 

 circles ; then, after being joined by stragglers, they re-alighted, but not until they 

 had flrst carefidly examined the vicinity. 



Mr. Dresser met with this J'lover, during the winter only, in Southwestern Texas. 

 In Decend)er, 18(!.'{, as lie was riding in the open jjrairie country near San Antonio, 

 he noticed a few individuals ; these were generally near the high-roads. In their 

 habits tliey reminded iiim very much of the King Plover of Europe {^Egiid'itis hiutk- 

 nl(i) — running verj' swiftly, with the head drawn in close to the body. As the 

 winter advanced they l)ecame more plentiful, but disapi)eared in the early spring, 

 none showing themselves later than the beginning of April. They fed on cattle- 

 ticks and beetles of all sorts, and seemed to prefer the I'arren sand-plains to the 

 grassy parts in the neighlxnhood of water. 



Mr. C. E. Aiken mentions meeting with this species ii; pairs on the high table- 

 lands of Colorado. Mr. .1. A. Allen found the 3Iountain I'lover present, though not 

 abundant, from Eastern Kansa.s westward. In the vicinity of Fort Hays he noticed 

 it occurring Avith considerable frequency. During the breeding-season he saAV it in 

 isolated pairs, nsuallj' in the driest situations, and characterizes it as silent and 

 unsuspicious. Later in the sea.son Mr. Allen nu^ntions meeting with it in small 

 parties composed of one or two broods of young accompanied by their parents ; tliese 

 were observed at intervals throughout the month of July, This species was also 

 often met with in South i'ark, as well as on the high table-lands which occur at 

 intervals thence to the plains. 



Dr. Coues noticed this si)ecies on various occasions, and his accounts are generally 

 confirmatory of those previously' given by Dr. Cooper. He first mentions meeting 

 with it in his journey from Arizona to the Pacific, and there speaks of it as an im- 

 suspicious and familiar Ijird, admitting of a very near approach where it was not too 

 often disturbed, running gra<--efully with the head lowered, often sto2)ping suddenly 

 and drawing itself up to its full height, and watching the intruder with curious 

 eye. Its voice is descril>ed as Ijeing soft and low, and of a very peculiar tone. More 

 recently, he mentions its occurrence in Dakota, along the parallel of 49° N., where it 

 was breeding in considerable numljers. It was first seen July 1, and was traced 

 thence across the coimtry nearly to the Sweetgrass Hills. Its centre of abundance 

 was about Frenchman's Kiver, where a set of three eggs, with many specimens, both 

 adult and young, were secured. At no time did the birds seem to him wary or sus- 

 picious, and when their nests or young were threatened they would hardly retreat 

 even if themselves in danger. < >n such occasions they utter a low chattering cry very 

 unlike their usual soft mellow whistle, fly low over the ground to a short distance, or 

 run swiftly for a few paces, and then stand motionless, as described by Mr. Nuttall. 

 The chicks are said to Ix; white lieneath and curiously variegated in color above, with 

 naked livid spaces about the neck. From the first the young were very difficult to 

 capture alive. The nesting-season is protracted, well-feathered young and fresh eggs 

 occurring at the same period. 



In the desert regions of Xew Mexico west of the Rio Grande, this bird was also 



