220 DR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA, 



CHARADRIUS, Antiq. 



123. C. vociFERUs, Linn. Kildeer Plover. 



This watchful noisy bird is common in California, and as annoying to the 

 sportsman there as with us, ever ready to give the alarm to ducks and other game. 

 I found them breeding at Santa Barbara in April. 



124. C. MONTANUS, Towns. Rocky Mountain Plover. 



We found this species only in the interior. It has also been found plentiful in 

 Texas. 



PLUVIALIS, Ges}ier. Briss. 



125. P. viRGiNiACA, Gamb. American Golden Plover. 



Charadrius virginiacus, Borkh. 

 Common along the coast. 



SQUATAROLA, Cuv. 



126. S. HELVETICA, Cuv. BlacK-bellied Plover. 

 Small flocks arc frequently seen along the coast. 



STREPSILAS, Illiger. 



127. S. MELANocEPHALUs, Vigors. Califomian Turnstone. 



Zool. Jour. iv. p. 356. Zool. Beechy's Voyage, p. 29. 



Head, neck, upper part of breast and back, wings and rump dusky, with golden green reflections ; beneath, 

 a band on the wing formed by the tips of the greater coverts, shafts of the quills, tip and base of tail 

 pure white : the scapuhirs and some of the coverts also edged with white. 



Length 9 inches : bill about 1 inch, dark brown : irids hazel : legs umber-brown : tarsus 1 inch. 



This remarkable species, so distinct from the common Turnstone, is abundant 

 throughout the coast of Upper California. 



I first met with it in the Bay of St. Pedro, in February, flitting over the rocks 

 with great activity, and uttering as it flew a creaking twittering note. 



The plumage of the living bird is of a beautiful dark golden green, which 

 contrasted with the pure white of the upper tail coverts, and. the double white bands 

 of the wings when expanded, renders its appearance when flying extremely 

 beautiful. 



I afterwards found it common along the rocky coast, particularly at Monterey, in 

 November ; and observed that it preferred the roughest rocky points and broken 

 stony banks, lashed continually by the foaming surf Here it delights to run over 

 the rocks covered with sea weed and small shells, rising for a minute on the wing to 

 avoid the dashing breaker, and alighting the moment its fury is spent, to glean its 

 well earned fare amid the rustling foam, in which they are often enveloped. 



