224 DK. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 



MACRORAMPHUS, Leach. 



144. M. GRisEUs, Leach. Red-breasted Snipe. 

 Abundant along the coast. 



FULICA, Antiq. 



145. F. AMERICANA, Gmel. Common Coot. 



Abundant about fresh water ponds, going in large flocks. They breed in 

 California. 



PHALAROPUS, Briss. 



146. P. FULiCARius, Bonap. 



In the month of November large flocks of this active little sea-bird appeared in 

 the Bay of Monterey. They were in immature plumage, and never came very close 

 to the shore, but seemed to prefer the deep water, riding upon the waves like so 

 many Petrels. 



HOLOPODIUS, Bonap. 



147. H. wiLSONii, Bonap. 



Phalaropus frenatus, Vieill. 



Frequent in the interior where it breeds. 



HIMANTOPUS, Antiq. 



148. H. NiGRicoLLis, Vieill. Black-necked Stilt. 



This species is abundant on the Mexican coast, and extends into Upper California, 

 where I found them at Santa Barbara in April. They frequented the wet marshy 

 ponds near the coast, and were probably breeding, as they seemed to be very 

 pugnacious among themselves, balancing in the air, and striking at each other with 

 their wings, the long legs hanging down, and at the same time uttering a noisy 

 loud peculiar note. 



RECURVIROSTRA, Gesner. Will Ray. 



149. R. occiuENTALis, Vigors. Californian Avocet. 



Zool. Beechy's Voyage, p. pi. 



This is an abundant bird throughout California, and, according to Nuttall, has 

 been shot also at the great northern bend of the Missouri, (see Man. Orn. vol. ii. p. 77.) 



It frequents the muddy margins of ponds and marshes, into which it walks up to 

 its breast in water, and wriggles its bill about in the soft mud like a duck, its head 

 often being entirely immersed. 



