258 AMERICAN RING PLOVER. 
sometimes seen in September along the shores of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi. At this period they are now and then observed on ploughed 
lands, where they appear to procure different species of seeds and in- 
sects. Along the whole extent of our Atlantic shores, they are nume- 
rous at this season, and great numbers are killed, the flesh of the young 
birds especially being juicy and tender. 
The flight of this species is swift and sustained. They are fond of 
associating with other birds of similar habits, and are generally unsus- 
picious, so that they are easily approached. When on wing, their 
notes are sharp, sonorous, and frequently repeated. ‘The young mem- 
bers of my party were often much amused by witnessing our pointer 
chasing the old birds, whilst the latter, as if perfectly aware of the su- 
periority in speed, would seem to coax him on, and never failed to ex- 
haust him by flying along the declivities of the rocks up to their sum- 
mits, and afterwards plunging downwards to the base, thus forming 
great circuits over a limited range. Their food consists of small crus- 
tacea, mollusca, and the eggs of various marine animals. The old 
males are very pugnacious in the breeding season, and engage in obsti- 
nate conflicts, drooping their wings, and trailing their tail fully spread 
out in the manner of some species of Grouse on similar occasions. 
Rine Prover, Trinega Hraticura, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vii. p. 65, pl. 59, 
fig. 3. 
CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, 
p- 296. 
American Rine Prover, CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, Richards. and Swains. 
Fauna. Bor.-Amer. vol. li. p. 367. 
SEMIPALMATED Rine Puiover, Wutiall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 24. 
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXX. Fig. 1. 
Bill shorter than the head, straight, somewhat cylindrical. Upper 
mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then bulging 
a little and curving to the tip, which is rather acute, the sides sloping 
at the base, convex towards the end, where the edges are sharp and 
direct. Nasal groove extended along more than half of the mandible ; 
nostrils basal, linear, in the lower part of the membrane, open, and per- 
vious. Lower mandible with the angle short, narrow, but rounded, 
the sides at the base sloping outwards and flat, the dorsal line ascend- 
jng and slightly convex, the edges sharp and involute towards the tip. 
