SPARROW— ALBATROSS— PLOVER-GULL— TATTLER— THRUSH. 



149 



cisely like those of the Song Sparrow (M. Melodia). See page 

 4. This species, he states, occurs throughout New Mexico, Ari- 

 zona, and a part of Southern California, and is particularly abun- 

 dant in the valley of Colorado. 



Western Chipping Sparrow. {Spizella socialis, var. arizonce. 



Fig. 10. 



This species is met with in the western parts of the United States, 

 from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; south in winter into 

 Middle and Western Mexico. Its habits are similar to its eastern 

 relative, mentioned on page 68. 



PLATE CII. 



Short-tailed Albatross. (JDiomedea brachyura.) 



Fig. 1. 



This is a very abundant species, that is met with off the Pacific 

 coast. Its habits are similar to the Albatross, represented on Plate 

 XCIX., and described on page 146. 



Mountain Plover. (yEgialitis asiaticus, var. montanus.) 

 Fig. 2. 



This bird, so far as known, inhabits the western countries of 

 North America, and is supposed to extend its migrations to South 

 America. According to Dr. Coues, it is common on dry plains, 

 and even in deserts; independent of water; feeds on insects, es- 

 pecially grasshoppers. He found it in New Mexico in June, and 

 abundantly in California in November. 



Dr. Coues further says regarding this species : 



" In the desert region of New Mexico, between the Rio Grande 

 and the base of the mountains to the westward, I found these Plo- 

 vers abundant, late in June, together with the Long-billed Curlews, 

 and presume that they breed there, although I found no nests. 

 The old birds that I shot were in poor condition and worn plumage. 

 A few were seen in Arizona, at various seasons, but they did not 

 again occur to me in abundance until I reached Southern Califor- 

 nia, in November of the following year. In the vicinity of Los 

 Angeles I found them in large flocks on the dry plain which 

 stretches down to the ocean. They were not difficult of approach, 

 and I had no difficulty in securing as many as I desired. On be- 

 ing disturbed by too near approach, they lower the head, run rap- 

 idly a few steps in a light, easy way, and then stop abruptly, draw- 

 ing themselves up to their full height and looking around with 

 timid yet unsuspicious glances. Their notes are rather peculiar, 

 as compared with those of our other Plovers, and vary a good deal, 

 according to circumstances. When the birds are feeding at their 

 leisure, and in no way apprehensive of danger, they utter a low 

 and rather pleasing whistle, though in a somewhat drawling or 

 rather lisping tone ; but the note changes to a louder and higher 

 one, sometimes sounding harshly. When forced to fly by persist- 

 ent annoyance, they rise rapidly with quick wing-beats, and then 

 proceed with alternate sailing and flapping, during the former ac- 

 tion holding the wings decurved. They generally fly low over 

 the ground, and soon realight, taking a few mincing steps as they 

 touch the ground ; they then either squat low, in hopes of hiding, 

 or stand on tip-toe, as it were, for a better view of what alarmed 

 them. 



" The Mountain Plover's food consists principally, if not wholly, 

 of insects. I examined the stomachs of a great many with refer- 

 ence to this matter, finding in them nothing whatever but insects, 

 excepting, as usual, a little sand or gravel. Grasshoppers, in their 

 season, seem to be the bird's main reliance, though numerous 

 other insects, as crickets and beetles, are also eaten ; and I sup- 

 pose that worms and small land-molluscs would not come amiss. 

 In the fall, when food is plenty, the birds become very fat, tender, 

 and juicy, affording excellent, eating." 



Snowy Plover. (^dZgialitis cantianus.') 



Fig. 3- 



This is a California coast species, where it is found quite common 

 during the winter season, occupying the sandy or gravelly shores 

 of rivers. 



Sooty Albatross. (JDiomedea fuliginosa.) 



Fig. 4- 



This species is met with on the Pacific coast. Its habits are 

 about the same as the other Albatross represented on this plate. 



White-headed Gull. (Larus heermani.) 



Fig. 5- 



This bird is met with on the Pacific coast, thence southward. It 

 is a common species, and most generally found in deep water some 

 distance from shore. 



Wandering Tattler. (Jfeteroscelus incanus.) 



Fig. 6. 



This species has a very general distribution on the coast and 

 islands of the Pacific ocean. 



PLATE CIII. 



Red-vented Thrasher ; Crissal Thrush ; Henry's Thrush. (Harforhyn* 



chus cr is salts, ,) 



Fig. 1. 



The valley of the Rio Grande, Colorado, and California is the 

 habitat of this rare species. Very little is known in regard to the 

 habits of this little bird. A specimen was first obtained by Dr. J. 

 C. Henry, near Mimbres, who published a description of it in 

 May, 1858. 



Bendire'sThrush. (Harporhynchus Bendirei.) 



Fig. 2. 



This is a new species lately found by St. Bendire. It is a resi- 

 dent of the valley of the Rio Grande, Colorado, and Arizona. Its 

 nests are usually built on trees instead of bushes, and at times as 

 high as thirty feet from the ground. 



