314 SHORE BIRDS 



neath the wing) black ; whereas, in the other species, 

 these are white. This bird arrives at the same time 

 with the golden plover, passing northward in May 

 and returning in August or September. Elliot says 

 that these birds are more numerous along the sea- 

 coasts, but this seems to me to be incredible, since there 

 are legions of them at times in Kansas, Nebraska, and 

 the Dakotas.* 



Along the coasts the birds feed in the salt marshes 

 and about the flats and ponds, their food being insects 

 and shell-fish, which imparts the fishy flavor to their 

 flesh. On the Western uplands, where they feed on 

 grasshoppers, these birds are excellent for the table. 



These birds come well to the decoys and are shot 

 with the golden plover, and that which was said with 

 reference to the shooting of the golden plover applies 

 equally well to them. 



THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER 



This bird is a true prairie plover, never resorting to 

 the beach, but dwelling upon the plains away from the 

 water, " preferring the grassy districts " ; and is some- 

 times found in sterile tracts covered with sage-brush. 

 It is very numerous in New Mexico and Arizona and 

 Southern California. It feeds upon insects, such as 

 grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ticks, and possibly 

 worms, and is often fat and in fine condition. This 

 bird presents a fair mark and is good to eat, and it 

 may be considered game, but it is of little importance, 

 since it is found in localities where much better birds 

 are abundant. 



The other plovers, of no importance to sportsmen, 



* See Appendix, No. 95. 



