SCOLOPACIDiE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — BARTRAMIA. 297 



Bartram's Tattler — or, as it is more generalh' called by giinnevs and sportsmen, 

 the Upland or the Field Plover — is more or less abundant in all parts of the United 

 States and in the interior as far north as the Saskatchewan Plains. It breeds from 

 Pennsylvania north, and is more common in the interior than in the higher grounds 

 near the coast. It is also found in Mexico, in Central America, and in South Amer- 

 ica as far south as the I'ampas. 



Mr. Salvin, during his stay at Dueiias, in Guatemala, noticed quite a flock of this 

 species, consisting of about eighteen or twenty members, which arrived about the 

 beginning of April at that place. Since they seek dry, open savannas, rather than 

 marshy pools, they fully justify the appellation of Field Plover, their actions and 

 habits closely assimilating them to the Charadriidm. Mr. Salvin afterward met with 

 this bird in April on the coast of Hondiu'as, among the bays. Dr. Burmeister found 

 it common in South America south of Mendoza, on the banks of the Eiver Tunuyan, 

 and coidd detect no difference between South American and Northern specimens. 



Eichardson met with this bird on the Saskatchewan Plains, where it was feeding 

 on coleopterous insects. Captain Elakiston also found it common in the same local- 

 ity, where it breeds during the summer. Mr. J. Lockhart found this Plover breeding 

 as far north as Fort Yukon, June 15, 1862, and snared the female on her nest. IMr. 

 J. Ibbiston also jn-ocurcd specimens in the same neighborhood. Mr. Donald Guun 

 found it breeding at Selkirk Settlement. Mr. E. McDonald noticed it breeding 

 among the mountains west of the Lower Mackenzie, and IMr. J. M'Dougal met with 

 it in the Gens de Large Mountains, two hundred miles northeast of the Yukon. 



The Upland Plover is a great wanderer. In at least three instances stragglers 

 have been taken in England. One of these was obtained near Cambridge in Decem- 

 ber, 1854, another was afterward procured in Warwickshire, and Mr. John Gould 

 received a specimen of this bird shot near Sydney in Australia. Mr. William Grant 

 records ('• Ibis," 1867) the captm-e of a single specimen in Malta, and Mr. C. A. Wright 

 (•'Ibis," 1869) also makes mention of another taken in the same island, Nov. 17, 1865. 

 Mr. Wright adds that almost sinudtaneously with this occurrence a third example of 

 this species was taken in England near Falmouth, Nov. 14, 1865. Two other instances 

 are named by Temminck of its having been noticed in other parts of Euroj)e. 



This species is said by Leotaud to visit Trinidad during the months of August, 

 September, and October, after which it departs for the south. But few visit the 

 island, and these are found in the interior meadows, generally singly. 



Mr. Dresser met with this species on his journey from Brownsville to San Antonio, 

 Texas, in September, 18G.3, and states that on quitting the sandy regions and entering 

 into the grass country he found this species — known there as the Grass Plover — 

 quite abundant. It did not go in flocks, but was scattered singly all over the coun- 

 try. He found it shy and diiScult to approach, especially when on foot ; but by 

 riding or driving near it, he could always get within shot before it took to flight. 

 When undisturbed it ran about very swiftly, catching insects among the grass, often 

 reminding him of the Stone Curlew of Europe (CEdicne,mus creintans). When dis- 

 turbed it would squat close for a time, and then, if approached, it would rise sud- 

 denly and fly off, uttering a clear whistle. In New Orleans — where it is known 

 under the name of " Papabot " — it is much sought after by epicures ; and Mr. Dresser 

 thinks with good reason, as he never tasted a better bird. In some instances it 

 was so fat as to burst open mi falling to the ground. He observed none during the 

 winter; but in April and I^Iay, however, he noticed a few near San Antonio, but 

 these were very shy. Dr. J. C. Merrill, who has carefully studied the habits of this 

 Plover in the Eio Grande region of Southwestern Texas, mentions its arrival there 

 VOL I. — 38 



