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ROCKY- MOUNTAIN PLOVER. 



f- Charadrius montanus, Towns. 

 PLATE CCCXVIII.— Female. 



For the following brief account of this bird, I am indebted to my learned 

 and obliging friend Thomas Nuttall. 



"This remarkable species, so much allied to the Charadrius Wilsoni, was 

 scarcely seen by us for more than one or two days, and then on the central 

 table-land of the Rocky Mountains, in the plains near the last of the streams 

 of the Platte, pursued in our western and northern route. It being the 

 month of July when we saw it, there is little doubt but that it was breeding 

 in this subalpine region. The only individual shot, was seen skulking and 

 running through the wormwood bushes which so generally clothe those arid 

 and dry wastes. After running some time, it would remain perfectly still, 

 as if conscious of the difficulty of distinguishing it from the colour of the 

 grey soil on which it stood. All that we saw were similar to the present 

 individual, and none, however flushed, took to the wing. We do not recol- 

 lect hearing from it the slightest complaint or note of any kind, being intent 

 probably on concealing its young or eggs by a perfect silence." 



The skin from which I made my drawing was that of a female; and it is 

 my opinion, that the male, when found, will have as distinct markings as 

 those exhibited by Charadrius melodus or Charadrius semipalmatus. 



Charadrius montanus, Towns., Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 192. 

 Rocky-Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 362. 



Female, 8i, wing 6-g-. 



Rocky Mountains. 



Adult Female. 



Bill shorter than the head, straight, somewhat cylindrical. Upper mandi- 

 ble with the dorsal line straight to beyond the middle, then bulging a little 

 and curving to the rather acute tip, which projects beyond that of the lower 

 mandible, the sides flat and sloping at the base, convex towards the end. 

 Nasal groove extended to the middle of the bill; nostrils basal, linear, open 

 and pervious. Lower mandible with the angle rather short, the sides at the 



Vol. V. 30 



