174 PR.ECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



They frequent the diy grassy jjastures exckisively, aucl although but a few rods from 

 the sea-beach, ue-\'er visit it. They were in large flocks scattered over the plains, 

 and were rather difficult to shoot, except as they chanced to fly near, being very 

 shy if approached when on the ground. 



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

 nests on the dry gravelly bluffs. He describes them as being less noisy than the 

 Kildeer, although their cries inuch resemble those of that bird. In the autumn, 

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

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

 had first carefully examined the vicinity. 



Mr. Dresser met with this Plover, during the winter only, iu Southwestern Texas. 

 In December, 18(53, as he was riding in the o^Jen prairie country near San Antonio, 

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

 habits they reminded him very much of the Ring Plover of Europe [jEgkilitis hiatic- 

 uhi) — running very swiftly, with the head cLrawn in close to the body. As the 

 winter advanced they became more plentiful, but disappeared in the early sjjring, 

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

 ticks and beetles of all sorts, and seemed to prefer the barren sand-plains to the 

 grassy parts in the neighborhood of water. 



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

 lands of Colorado. !Mr. J. A. Allen found the Mountain Plover present, though not 

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

 it occurring with considerable frerpiency. During the breeding-season he saw it in 

 isolated pairs, usually iu the driest situations, and characterizes it as silent and 

 unsuspicious. Later in the season Mr. Allen mentions meeting with it in small 

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

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

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

 intervals thence to the plains. 



Dr. Coues noticed this species ou 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 un- 

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

 often disturbed, running gracefully with the head loAvered, often stopping suddenly 

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

 eye. Its voice is described as being 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 numbers. It was first seen July 1, and was traced 

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

 was about Frenchman's Eiver, 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. On 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. Xuttall. 

 The chicks are said to be white beneath 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 



