230 ZOOLOGY. 



numerous on the back and rump, and on the upper tail coverts, assuming the form of transverse bands, generally ; also with 

 some spots of ashy white. Entire under parts black, with a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail coverts mixed or barred 

 \vith white. Forehead, border of the black of the neck, under tail coverts and tibioe, white ; axillary feathers cinereous ; 

 quills, dark brown ; middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to the webs and forming longitudinal 

 stripes on the shorter quills ; tail dark brown, with numerous irregular bands of ashy white, and frequently tinged with 

 golden yellow ; bill, black ; legs, dark bluish brown. Younger. — Under parts dull ashy, spotted with brownish on the neck 

 and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black ; many spots of the upper part dull ashy white ; other spots, especially 

 on the rump, golden yellow. 



Total length about ^ inches ; wing, 7 ; tail, 2i inches. 



Hah. — All of North America, South America, Northern Asia, Europe. 



Early in October, 1853, I found the golden plover quite abundant in the St Mar}''s valley, at 

 the western base of the Rocky mountains. They were then found scattered in small flocks 

 upon the plains near the junction of the Bitter Root and Hell-Gate streams, which had recently 

 been burnt over by the spreading fires so commonly started either by accident or design by 

 the wild natives of the far west. 



The birds were remarkably unsuspicious and tame, and although frequently shot at were but 

 little alarmed. Those that I killed were very fat, and in excellent condition for the table. I 

 never saw this species near the coast in Washington or Oregon, and presume that, if found 

 there, it is only accidental. 



In the collections in San Francisco I saw several birds of this species, which had probably 

 been obtained in the public markets of that city. — S. 



AEGIALITIS VOCIFERUS, (Linn.) Cassin. 



KlU-deer. 



Charadrim vociferm, Linn, Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 253,— WiL8. Am. Cm. VII, 1813, 73; fig. pi. lix. — Nut. Man. 11, 

 22.— Aid. Orn. Biog. Ill, 1835, 191 : V, 577 ; pi. 225.— Id. Syn. 222.— Ib. Birds, Am. V. 1842, 

 207, pi. 317. 

 Aegialtes rocifents, Bon. List, 1838. 



Aegialitis vociferus, Baird and Cassin, Gen. Kep. Birds, 692. 

 Figures.— Catesey's Carolina, Birds, pi. 71.— Biff. PI. Enl. 286.- Wilson's Am. Orn. VIII, pi. 59, fig. 6.— Aud. B. of Am. 

 pi. 225, oct. ed. V. pi. 317. 



Sp. Ch — Wings long, reaching to the end of the tail, which is also rather long. Head above and upper parts of the body 

 light brown with a greenish tinge, rump and upper tail covers rufous, lighter on the latter. Front and lines over and under 

 the eye, white, another band of black in front above the white band ; stripe from the base of the bill towards the occiput, 

 brownish black ; ring encircling the neck and wide band on the breast, black ; throat white, which color extends upwards 

 around the neck ; other under parts white. Quills brownish black with about half of their inner webs white, shorter 

 primaries with a large spot of white on their outer webs, secondaries widely tipped or edged with white. Tail feathers pale 

 rufous at base ; the four middle light olive brown tipped with white, and with a wide subterminal band of black ; lateral 

 feathers widely tipped with white. Entire upper plumage frequently edged and tipped with rufous. Very young have upper 

 parts light gray, with a longitudinal band on the head and back black ; under parts white. Total length about 9J inches, 

 wing, 64 ; tail, 3^ inches. 



Length of a Rocky mountain specimen, 10. 75 inches ; extent 20. 75 ; bill black ; feet yellow. 

 IJiib. — North and South America. 



This plover is a common species in Minnesota, Oregon, and Nebraska Territories, breeding 

 in summer throughout this immense range. In winter they are sparingly found about Puget 

 Sound, as in the east, seemingly preferring the beaches and sand pits near salt water during 

 the cold months. The greater number of individuals, however, retire in the fall to the south; 

 not returning to the vicinity of the sound until about the end of April. They then repair in 



