440 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Family CHAEADRIID^E : The Plovers. 



159. ^Jgialitis montana, (Towns.). — Mountain Plover. 



This species, known here as the "Bull-head Snipe/' usually arrives at 

 Stockton and Marysville in November, and I have seen a few in Octo- 

 ber. It frequents the dry plains, but is oftener found in lields that have 

 been prepared for or sown with wheat than any other localities. It 

 sometimes visits the low, rolling, gravelly hills to the east of the valley, 

 and is often abundant, especially previous to the severe rains of winter. 

 Some winters, however, I have not seen it at all in California. It was 

 unusually abundant at Stockton in December, 1878. 



76637 



— juv. 



Stockton 



Nov. 



3, 1878 



766^2 



— ,juv. 



do 



Nov. 



3, 1878 





"160. JEsialitis vocifera, (Linn.). — Kill-deer Plover. 



The Kill-deer is a common resident of the valleys and foot-hills. I 



have not seen it higher up than Murphy's. 



Family EECITRYIlvOSTRID^E : The Avocets and Stilts. 



161. Recurvirostra americana, Gm. — American Avocet. 



The Avocet is very rare in the interior valleys. It is occasionally 

 seen at Marysville in spring. I have not yet observed it at Stockton. 



*162. Himantcpus mexicanus, (Miiller). — Black- necked SHU. 



The Stilt is a common summer resident at Stockton. It was first seen 

 here April 13, 1878, and had left by September 7. It breeds both here 

 and in Sutter County. 



76633 j ? ad. j *Stockton 



Apr. 13, 1878 



Family SCOLOPACID^E : The Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. 



163. Gallinago wilsoni, (Tcmin.). — WiUon'i Snipe 



This bird is a common winter resident of Central California, being 

 found in suitable localities in the foot-hills as high up as Murphy's. It 

 sometimes remains as late as May 15, and was seen at Stockton as early 

 this year as September 7. 



A le w are said to breed here, but this is very doubtful. 



74287 



— ad. 



Stockton 



Spring, 



1878 



76638 



— ad. 





Oct. — , 



1878 



164. Macrorhamplius griseus, (Grmel.). — Bed-breasted Snipe. 



This bird was fu st seen at Stockton April 20, 1878. The first seen in 

 the following fall was on November 5. It is sometimes, though rarely, 

 quite common, but it appears to be very irregular in its movements. 



74285 

 74286 

 766»J«J 



$ ad. 

 ? ad 

 ? ad. 



Stockton. 

 do . . 



do .. 



Apr. 25, 1878 

 Apr. 25, 1878 

 Nov. 5,1878 



