26 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. 



[No. 7. 



or 20 square feet. Some idea can be formed of the inexhaustible sup- 

 ply of food which this insect furnishes for birds when it is known that 

 colonies of equal size occurred at close intervals in suitable localities all 

 around the lake, which has a shore line of between 40 and 50 miles. 



The species was evidently breeding at the time, but no eggs or young 

 were found. The birds were tame and unsuspicious, and allowed a 

 person to approach within a few yards before taking wing, and if not 

 too closely pressed would run along ahead of the observer. As Mr. 

 Nelson found the species at this same place December 27, 1890, it is 

 undoubtedly a resident in Owens Yalley. 



Mr. Bailey found this plover numerous on the beach at Monterey, 

 Calif., September 28 to October 9. 



Record of specimens collected of JEgialitis nivosa. 



Col- 

 lector's 

 No. 



276 



277 

 278 



Sex. 



Locality. 



Keeler, Inyo County, Calif. 



do .' , 



, do 



Date. 



June 1, 1891 



....do 



....do 



Collector. 



A. K. Fisher 



....do 



...do 



Remarks. 



JEgialitis montana. Mountain Plover. 



According to Mr. Nelson, mountain plovers were common in flocks 

 in October at several places on the open grassy plains in the San Joa- 

 quin Yalley, Calif. 



Oreortyx pictus plumiferus. Plumed Quail. 



The known range of the mountain quail was considerably extended 

 by the fleldwork of the expedition. In Cajon Pass, in the San Ber- 

 nardino Mountains, a small band was seen and an individual secured 

 January 2. In the Panamint Mountains a feather was found in John- 

 son Canon, and a pair or so of the birds seen April 6. The Indians, as well 

 as some of the inhabitants of Panamint, knew the bird well, and stated 

 that it was common in many parts of themouu tains. Dr. Merriam and Mr. 

 Bailey saw it among the junipers on the north slope of Telescope Peak, 

 April 17-19, and Mr. Nelson found it a common breeding species among 

 the piiions on Willow Creek, Mill Creek, and in Cottonwood Canon, in 

 the more northern part of the range. Death Valley, with the barren, 

 treeless range immediately to the east, prevents the extension of the 

 species in that direction as effectually as it does the valley quail. In 

 the Argus Range the plumed quail was common. Mr. W. C. Burnett saw 

 a pair at the summit of Shepherd Canon, and above Maturango Spring 

 the males were heard throughout the day uttering their not unpleasant 

 call notes. At Searl's garden, which is near the southern end of this 

 range, Mr. Stephens heard that they came down into the garden in 

 summer. In the Coso Mountains the species was still more common 

 among the piiions, where several specimens were secured during the 

 latter half of May. In the Inyo Range it was reported as not uncommon 



