174 
PK.ECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOLE. 
They frequent the dry grassy pastures exclusively, and although but a few rods from 
the sea-beach, never visit it. They were in large Hocks scattered over the plains, 
and were rather difficult to shoot, except as they chanced to fly near, being very 
shy if approached when on the ground. 
At Fort Mohave Dr. Cooper found a few pairs in March which seemed to have 
nests on the dry gravelly bluffs. He describes them as being less noisy than the 
Kildeer, although their cries much resemble those of that bird. In the autumn, 
when started from the ground, they uttered a low whistle, and flew around in large 
circles ; then, after being joined by stragglers, they re-alighted, but not until they 
had first carefully examined the vicinity. 
Mr. Dresser met with this Plover, during the winter only, in Southwestern Texas. 
In December, 186fi, as he was riding in the open prairie country near San Antonio, 
he noticed a few individuals ; these were generally near the high-roads. In their 
habits they reminded him very much of the Ring Plover of Europe (JEgialitis hiatic- 
ula) — running very swiftly, with the head drawn in close to the body. As the 
winter advanced they became more plentiful, but disappeared in the early spring, 
none showing themselves later than the beginning of April. They fed on cattle- 
ticks and beetles of all sorts, and seemed to prefer the barren sand-plains to the 
grassy parts in the neighborhood of water. 
Mr. C. E. Aiken mentions -meeting with this species in pairs on the high table- 
lands of Colorado. Mr. .1. A. Allen found the Mountain Plover present, though not 
abundant, from Eastern Kansas westward. In the vicinity of Fort Hays he noticed 
it occurring with considerable frequency. During the breeding-season he saw it in 
isolated pairs, usually in the driest situations, and characterizes it as silent and 
unsuspicious. Later in the season Mr. Allen mentions meeting with it in small 
parties composed of one or two broods of young accompanied by their parents ; these 
were observed at intervals throughout the month of July. This species was also 
often met with in South Park, as well as on the high table-lands which occur at 
intervals thence to the plains. 
Dr. Cones noticed this species on various occasions, and his accounts are generally 
confirmatory of those previously given by Dr. Cooper. He first mentions meeting 
with it in his journey from Arizona to the Pacific, and there speaks of it as an un- 
suspicious and familiar bird, admitting of a very near approach where it was not too 
often disturbed, running gracefully with the head lowered, often stopping suddenly 
and drawing itself up to its full height, and watching the intruder rvith curious 
eye. Its voice is described as being soft and low, and of a very peculiar tone. More 
recently, he mentions its occurrence in Dakota, along the parallel of 49° N., where it 
was breeding in considerable numbers. It was first seen July 1, and was traced 
thence across the country nearly to the Sweetgrass Hills. Its centre of abundance 
was about Frenchman’s River, where a set of three eggs, with many specimens, both 
adult and young, were secured. At no time did the birds seem to him wary or sus- 
picious, and when their nests or young were threatened they would hardly retreat 
even if themselves in danger. On such occasions they utter a low chattering cry very 
unlike their usual soft mellow whistle, fly low over the ground to a short distance, or 
run swiftly for a few paces, and then stand motionless, as described by Mr. Huttall. 
The chicks are said to be white beneath and curiously variegated in color above, with 
naked livid spaces about the neck. From the first the young were very difficult to 
capture alive. The nesting-season is protracted, well-feathered young and fresh eggs 
occurring at the same period. 
In the desert regions of Hew Mexico west of the Rio Grande, this bird was also 
