298 
PRzECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOUE. 
about the second or third week in March, when it becomes very abundant on the 
grassy prairies. It is in poor condition when it arrives in spring, and soon goes far- 
ther north ; a few linger, however, until May 10. Some reappear in July, and by 
the first of September have become abundant, but begin to leave about the middle of 
that month, few being seen after the first week in October. Their stomachs were 
usually found filled with snails. In Northern Illinois, where this bird is a very com- 
mon summer resident, Mr. Nelson states that it arrives early in April and departs in 
September, frequenting the borders of marshes and uncultivated prairies. At first 
it is difficult of approach, but it becomes entirely reckless during the breeding-season, 
when it hovers over the heads of intruders. Not being appreciated as game, it is 
said to be but little hunted in that part of the country. Dr. Cooper mentions having 
met with this bird at the western base of Mullan’s Pass in Montana, but adds that 
it is not known to occur west of the mountains. He also saw the young of this spe- 
cies on the plains of the Upper Missouri in June. Mr. J. A. Allen noticed it in 
Colorado in August. Mr. Eidgway informs me that it is quite abundant on all the 
prairies of Southern Illinois. He also met with it in July on Kamas Prairie in Utah, 
where a few were seen in the grassy fields. In Southern Wisconsin, Mr. Kumlien 
informed me, in 1851 this bird, then very common there, was known as the “Prairie 
Plover ” and also as the “ Prairie Snipe,” and was much more common on the prairies 
than in the openings, arriving early in April. 
Giraud, in his “ Birds of Long Island,” mentions finding this species very plentiful 
on the Shinnecock Hills and on Montauk Point — especially at the latter place. In 
these hilly districts the capture of this bird by the unmounted sportsman is easier 
than it would be in a level region, as advantage can be taken of the inequalities of 
the ground to approach within shooting distance. The customary mode of pursuing 
it, however, is in a vehicle. In this manner it is more readily approached ; and by 
most hunters its pursuit in any other way than by riding is regarded as hopeless. 
On the Shinnecock Hills and on Hempstead Plains Giraud found this species quite 
common, and it is there variously known as the “Upland,” the “Field,” and the 
“ Grass Plover.” It was everywhere very wary and difficult of approach. On the 
ground it has an erect and graceful gait. When alarmed it runs rapidly for a 
short distance before taking wing, uttering a whistling note as it rises. Its flight 
is very rapid, and it frequently goes entirely out of sight before it re-alights. It 
usually keeps on the dry open ground, feeding on grasshoppers, upon other insects, 
and on seeds. In the month of August it is generally in very fine condition, and is 
highly prized as game. When feeding, these birds scatter about, all moving off the 
instant an alarm is given. They migrate southward in the latter part of August, 
and perform the journey by night. Some stragglers, however, remain behind until 
late in September. 
The Upland Plover is found in favoring localities in various parts of New Eng- 
land, usually in hilly and uninhabited tracts not far from the coast. Occasionally 
it is met with in more inland regions, as in elevated and barren districts in New 
Hampshire, and probably also in Maine. I have found it breeding in Rhode Island 
near Narragansett Bay, and on high grounds near Carlisle, Pa. In the latter place 
the nest was a mere depression in a ploughed field, with only a few pieces of decayed 
grass-stems to keep the eggs from the damp soil. 
This species seems to have been only imperfectly known to our earlier ornitho- 
logical writers. Wilson and Nuttall were unacquainted with its eggs, and Audubon 
saw them for the first time in my cabinet in 1836. Wilson, who was the first to 
describe it, met with it near the botanical garden of his friend Bartram, on the banks 
