PLOVERS 111 



of two others seen on Dauphin Island — one by Dr. Avery, 

 September 21, 1892, and one by J. S. Gutsell, August 21, 1911. 

 General habits. — This curlew breeds in the interior of the 

 continent on dry grassy plains, but in migration visits the 

 shores and marshes of the seacoast. Its great size and long 

 curved bill will usually serve to distinguish it from any other 

 shorebird. 



HUDSONIAN CURLEW: Phaeopus hudsomeus (Latham).* 



State records. — The Hudsonian, or "jack," curlew is a com- 

 mon migrant on both coasts of North America, but is rare in 

 the interior and not at all common on the Gulf coast. The 

 birds move southward from their breeding grounds early in 

 July and reach the Southern States by the end of the month. 

 The only Alabama record is that of a specimen shot by E. G. 

 Holt from a flock of 9 at the west point of Dauphin Island, 

 July 27, 1913. 



General habits. — During migration, this curlew is found in 

 flocks about mud flats and sand bars, where it feeds in com- 

 pany with other species of snipe and sandpipers; when the tide 

 covers the flats it resorts to the uplands and marshes to feed 

 on berries or grasshoppers. 



PLOVERS: Family Charadriida«. 



BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER : Squatarola sqtmtarola 

 cynosurae Thayer and Bangs.t 



State records. — The black-bellied plover, often known as 

 "beetlehead," is a common migrant and winter resident on the 

 coast, and small flocks of nonbreeding birds may be found 

 throughout the summer. It is rarely found in the interior. 

 On Dauphin and Petit Bois Islands, Gutsell observed them in 

 moderate numbers from August 21 to September 1, 1911. I 

 found about a dozen on Dauphin Island, February 13, 1912; 

 about 40, March 22, 1912; half that number, May 18 and 19, 

 1911 ; and a flock of about 15, July 5, 1913. Peters saw about 



'Numenius hadsonicns of the A. O. U. Check-list; for change of name see The Auk, 

 vol. 35, p. 206, 1918. 



tSqaatsroIa squatarola of the A. O. U. Check-list ; for change of name see The Auk, 

 Tol. to, p. 616, 1923. 



