1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 361 



banks of the stream. They were very tame, and would usually 

 allow of a near approach before flushing. 



A single specimen was taken at Thousand Creek flats. 



Ridgway's observation (1877, p. 610) that the spotted sand- 

 piper is probably, next to the killdeer, the most numerous wader 

 in the Great Basin region is not borne out by our later expe- 

 rience. In the vicinity of Quinn River Crossing the Wilson 

 phalarope must be accorded this distinction. 



Specimens preserved, three (nos. '9080, 9081, 9302). 



Oxyechus vociferus (Linnaeus) 



Killdeer 



Distrihufio)i. — Occurred generally in the neighborhood of 

 streams and ponds. The highest point at which it was noted 

 was the meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet). It was noted in 

 Virgin Valley and on Table Mountain as well as in the Quinn 

 River region. 



Habits. — The birds are found not only on the marshes and 

 on contiguous moist ground, but often also on high and dry 

 ground somewhere in the neighborhood of streams. 



A male juvenal (no. 9102) was secured at Camp no. 3, on 

 the meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet). The specimen exhibits 

 the juvenal plumage. There is little doubt that the species breeds 

 in the region. 



Oreortyx picta plumifera (Gould) 



Plumed Quail 

 One of the rare birds of the mountains, occurring only above 

 5000 feet altitude. A female was flushed in the sagebrush of a 

 canon near Big Creek Ranch. A male was seen not far below 

 the head of Big Creek (8000 feet), and a single individual was 

 heard at 6000 feet altitude on Alder Creek. A large family, 

 including about a dozen juvenals, was surprised July 20, on the 

 meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet), where they had probably been 

 drinking at a spring. The chicks were highly adept at hiding. 

 No specimens secured. 



