158 



NESTS AND EGOS OF 



dots. Sizes from 1.30 to 1.45 long by 1.00 to 1.05 broad. A set in Mr. Perry's cabinet 

 measures as follows: 1.37x.99, 1.82X.98, 1.40x1.00. 



281. MOUNTAIN PLOVER. JEyialitis Montana (Towns.) Geog. Dlst.— West- 

 ern Nortb America, east to the Great Plains; accidental in Florida. 



More properly called Prairie Plover, but it seems to have been badly named, 

 for it certainly is a prairie bird, inhabiting the most barren prairies, as well as the 

 watered regions of the United States, from the plains to the Pacific. It can readily' 

 be recognized by its large size, the lack of rings on the breast, with the uniform pale, 

 yellowish-brown above. It is quite independent of water, and is said to be not the 

 least aquatic, even on the Pacific coast; it frequents the plain, never the marsh or 

 beach. Nests anywhere on the open prairie in June and July. The eggs aje usually 

 three in number, olive-drab, with a brown shade, finely and thickly dotted with very 

 dark brown and black, the markings not larger than a pin's head; sizes from 1.40 

 to 1.50 long by 1.10 to 1.12 broad. 



282. SURP BIRD. ApUriza virgata (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast of 

 America, from Alaska to Chili. 



Known as the Plover-billed Turnstone. It is rare on our shores, although it is 

 found almost along the entire western coast of the two Americas. Little is known 

 concerning its breeding place and the eggs have not been discovered. Nelson se- 

 cured specimens of the bird in the vicinity of St. Michael's, Alaska, and the natives 

 claimed that it bred on the bare mountains of the interior, some 20 or 30 miles from 

 the coast. At the present time, however, its breeding place is unknown. 



283. TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Entirely cosmo- 

 politan, chiefly allong the sea coasts. Breeds in high northern latitudes. 





283. Turnstone 



