The Snowy Plover 



ordinary mark of the tide. The Snowies scatter widely in pursuit of food, 

 and spend much time apart, with a decent observance of "sea-room." 

 When disturbed, however, as by a heedless stroller of the upper beach, 

 the birds will muster rapidly at the water's edge, and when all are ac- 

 counted for will make off in a compact flock, which is for the moment 

 indistinguishable from a bunch of peeps. 



Certain observers assert that our shoreline population of Snowies 

 is largely augmented in winter, or changed outright. It is true that the 

 local distribution in winter does not entirely coincide with that of summer, 

 and there is more flexibility of movement; but it is at least possible that 



Taken in Santa Barba 



"REMNANT OF A ONCE FLOURISHING COLONY" 



Photo by the Author 



only those birds which breed along the shores of the larger interior lakes — 

 Tulare, Goose Lake, Salt Lake, and the rest — go to Central and South 

 America in winter, and that our beach population remains practically 

 stationary, an immovable core of satisfaction in a flux of discontent. 



For a nest our sand plover requires only the slight depression which 

 may be formed by the pressure of her own breast. The choice of a loca- 

 tion is, however, a matter of some solicitude. Several hollows may be 



1317 



