SC0L0PACID2E — THE SNIPE FAMILY — BARTRAMIA. 
297 
Bartram’s Tattler — or, as it is more generally called by gunners and sportsmen, 
the Upland or the Field Plover — is more or less abundant in all parts of the United 
States and in the interior as far north as the Saskatchewan Plains. It breeds from 
Pennsylvania north, and is more common in the interior than in the higher grounds 
near the coast. It is also found in Mexico, in Central America, and in South Amer- 
ica as far south as the Pampas. 
Mr. Salvin, during liis stay at Duenas, in Guatemala, noticed quite a flock of this 
species, consisting of about eighteen or twenty members, which arrived about the 
beginning of April at that place. Since they seek dry, open savannas, rather than 
marshy pools, they fully justify the appellation of Field Plover, their actions and 
habits closely assimilating them to the Charadriidce. Mr. Salvin afterward met with 
this bird in April on the coast of Honduras, among the bays. Ur. Burmeister found 
it common in South America south of Mendoza, on the banks of the River Tunuyan, 
and could detect no difference between South American and Northern specimens. 
Richardson met with this bird on the Saskatchewan Plains, where it was feeding 
on coleopterous insects. Captain Blakiston also found it common in the same local- 
ity, where it breeds during the summer. Mr. J. Lockhart found this Plover breeding 
as far north as Fort Yukon, June 15, 1862, and snared the female on her nest. Mr. 
J. Ibbiston also procured specimens in the same neighborhood. Mr. Donald Gunn 
found it breeding at Selkirk Settlement. Mr. R. McDonald noticed it breeding 
among the mountains Avest of the Lower Mackenzie, and Mr. J. M’Dougal met with 
it in the Gens de Large Mountains, two hundred miles northeast of the Yukon. 
The Upland Plover is a great wanderer. In at least three instances stragglers 
have been taken in England. One of these was obtained near Cambridge in Decem- 
ber, 1854, another was afterward procured in Warwickshire, and Mr. John Gould 
received a specimen of this bird shot near Sydney in Australia. Mr. William Grant 
records (“Ibis,” 1867) the capture of a single specimen in Malta, and Mr. C. A. Wright 
(“Ibis,” 1869) also makes mention of another taken in the same island, Nov. 17, 1865. 
Mr. Wright adds that almost simultaneously with this occurrence a third example of 
this species was taken in England near Falmouth, Nov. 14, 1865. Two other instances 
are named by Temminck of its having been noticed in other parts of Europe. 
This species is said by Leotaud to visit Trinidad during the months of August, 
September, and October, after which it departs for the south. But few visit the 
island, and these are found in the interior meadows, generally singly. 
Mr. Dresser met with this species on his journey from Brownsville to San Antonio, 
Texas, in September, 1863, and states that on quitting the sandy regions and entering 
into the grass country he found this species — known there as the Grass Plover — 
quite abundant. It did not go in flocks, but was scattered singly all over the coun- 
try. He found it shy and difficult to approach, especially when on foot ; but by 
riding or driving near it, he could always get within shot before it took to flight. 
When undisturbed it ran about very swiftly, catching insects among the grass, often 
reminding him of the Stone Curlew of Europe ((Edicnemus crepitans). When dis- 
turbed it would squat close for a time, and then, if approached, it wordd rise sud- 
denly and fly off, uttering a clear whistle. In New Orleans — where it is known 
under the name of “ Papabot ” — it is much sought after by epicures ; and Mr. Dresser 
thinks with good reason, as he never tasted a better bird. In some instances it 
was so fat as to burst open on falling to the ground. He observed none during the 
winter; but in April and May, however, he noticed a few near San Antonio, but 
these were very shy. Dr. J. C. Merrill, who has carefully studied the habits of this 
Plover in the Rio Grande region of Southwestern Texas, mentions its arrival there 
vol i. — 38 
