CHARADRIIDflE — THE PLOVERS — CHARADRIUS. 
145 
connection upwards of thirty specimens, the greater number being from the Pacific islands. Meas- 
urements of a part of this series (other specimens not being available for the purpose) give the 
following results : — Seven specimens from Alaska: Wing, 6.25-6.80, average, 6.49 ; culinen, .85- 
.95, average, .89; tarsus, 1.70-1.85, average, 1.76; middle toe, .85-.90, average, .89. Sixteen 
specimens from Pacific islands, India , and China: Wing, 6.10-6.80, average, 6.36; culmen, .85- 
1.00, average .93 ; tarsus, 1.55-1.85, average, 1.69 ; middle toe, .85-95, average, .91. The average 
of the whole series is as given above. 
In the collection there is one specimen (No. 1853) labelled Charadrius pluvialisf received 
from Aug. Lefevre, Paris, and supposed to have been obtained in France — although this is not 
asserted on the original label — which bears, beside the name, only the inscription, “ prenant livri-e 
d’e'te.” It is typical fulvus, having smoky gray axillars, and measuring as follows : Wing, 6.00 ; 
culmen, .92 ; tarsus, 1.70 ; middle toe, .90. It is an adult in changing plumage. 
A single specimen of this Asiatic species was procured by Mr. Elliott on tlie Pry- 
bilof Islands, thus first giving it a place in the fauna of North America. 1 This 
example was taken on the Island of St. Paul’s, May 2, 1873. Mr. Elliott states that 
a few stragglers land in April or early in May on their way north to breed, but never 
remain long. They return in greater numbers the latter part of September, and grow 
fat upon the larvse generated on the killing-grounds of the fur seal, and leave for 
the south by the end of October. Numerous specimens taken on the coast of Alaska 
are in the National Museum. This species is very closely allied to the virginianus, 
so that Drs. Hartlaub and Einsch regard it as very probable that they are identical 
species. 
Mr. Dresser, in his account of this bird, refers to specimens taken in Northeastern 
Africa on the Red Sea, in Siberia, India, Ceylon, Malacca, Java, Banca, Borneo, 
Timor, Batcliian, Australia, Hainan, Formosa, China, and also to one from the Arctic 
seas, killed in lat. 69° 30-' N., long. 173° 20' E., Sept. 3, 1852, and nearer the American 
than the Asiatic shore. It also occasionally extends its range into Europe, having 
once been seen at Heligoland and twice at Malta. It will thus be seen either to be 
a great wanderer or to have quite an extended range. 
It is without doubt this bird that is referred to by Pallas as C.jpluvialis. By that 
traveller it is spoken of as being rare in the northern parts of Russia, but exceedingly 
common in Siberia, whence it migrates in the autumn in fiocks to more southern 
localities in company with the Dotterel. It was met with on the banks of small 
rivers and in cattle pastures. Steller is quoted as having taken it in Kamtschatka 
in autumn. 
Mr. Dresser states that it breeds within the Arctic Circle. Middendorff observed 
it on the tundras of the Taimyr, in lat. 74° N., in full summer plumage. The birds 
were gathered in large flocks on the 4th of June, and had eggs by the 17th. They 
assembled on the 2d of August, on Lake Taimyr, to return, and none were seen after 
and another, in nearly complete summer dress, from Shanghai, China (No. 85742, April 21, 1881 ; Shanghai 
Museum). Upon close comparison of these specimens with examples in corresponding plumage from 
North America, we cannot see that they differ in the minutest particular as regards coloration. They are, 
however, decidedly shorter winged, their measurements being, respectively, as follows : — 
Wing. 
Culinen. 
Tarsus. 
Middle Toe. 
No. 71561, New South Wales, 
6. 30 
.95 
1.65 
1.00 
No. 85742, J, Shanghai, 
6.55 
1.02 
1.75 
.95 
Average of C. dominicus, 
7.09 
.91 
1.70 
.90 
1 Since the above was penned by Dr. Brewer, numerous Alaskan specimens have been received at the 
U. S. National Museum, collected by Messrs. Turner and Nelson, and others, chiefly at St. Michael’s, 
Norton Sound. — K. R. 
VOL. I. — 19 
