228 
PROCEEDINGS OE THE ACADEMY OF 
No Golden Plovers were observed until a short time before we left the coun- 
try ; then, about the date of the departure of the Curlews, Numenius borealis, 
they made their appearance in small numbers, in flocks of about a dozen or 
more. Some of them were in very perfect plumage. 
Aegialitis semipalmatus (Bon.) Cab.-— Ring Plover. “Ring-neck.” 
Charadrius semipalmatus, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 218, pi. 320. 
Aegialitis semipalmatus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 694. 
The Ring Plovers are excessively abundant during the summer months 
along the whole coast of Labrador, which is one of their favorite breeding lo- 
calities. On the first of September they had not yet left the country, being 
still as abundant as ever. When not separated into pairs for the purposes of 
reproduction, they frequent mostly sandy beaches and muddy flats, where 
they are found in loose straggling companies of from five or six to a dozen or 
more individuals, associated with the Semipalmated and Bonaparte’s Sand- 
pipers. They scatter widely apart while searching for food, running swiftly 
and gracefully over the sand, with the head lowered. They are at such times 
usually silent, except when disturbed, when they utter a loud mellow whistle 
on taking flight. Of all the smaller waders, none, with the exception of Bo- 
naparte’s Sandpiper, Actodromas Bonapartei, is so gentle and unsuspicious. 
They never seem to notice an approach of a few yards, and indeed I have 
sometimes found it difficult to force them to fly. They merely run swiftly a 
few steps, and then stand perfectly motionless, regarding the intruder in si- 
lence. The young run about as soon as hatched, and follow the parent, who 
leads them in search of food. They are at this time prettily mottled with 
black, light brownish and white, most of the under parts remaining of the 
latter color. Birds of the year may at all times be distinguished from the 
adults by the black of the bands being replaced by dull dirty ash. 
No individuals of the A. melodus were observed in Labrador, nor did I find 
any indications of their presence there. From the fact of Audubon’s finding 
them at the Magdalene Islands, it is to be supposed that they breed, sparingly 
at least, in the country. 
Strepsilas interfres (L.) 111.— Turnstone. “Chickling.” 
Strepsilas interpres, Aud., Birds Amer. v, 231, pi. 323. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 701. 
The Turnstone I first observed at Henley Harbor, on the 20th of August, 
when the smaller waders generally had commenced their southern migration. 
How long they remain in the country I do not know, but on the 1st of Sep- 
tember they were apparently as numerous as ever. Though not a very abun- 
dant species, I was enabled to procure a sufficient number of specimens, and 
to observe its curious habits. It afforded me much pleasure to notice with 
what dexterity they insert the bill beneath small stones and pebbles, and with 
a quick jerk turning them over, seize upon their prey lurking beneath. Though 
more shy and wary than the Sandpipers usually are, they did not seem to be as 
much so as the larger Tatlers. They are known to gunners by the name of 
“ Chicklings.” 
Phalaropus fulicarius (L.) Bon. — Red Phalarope. “Bay-bird.” 
Phalaropus fulicarius, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 291, pi. 339. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 
707. 
Three specimens of this species were shot at sea, off Belle-Isle, from a flock 
of six. They were flying in a very compact body, much in the manner of the 
smaller Sandpipers, for which I at first mistook them. The sailors called them 
“Bay birds.” While at sea we frequently saw this species, or the P. hyper - 
boreus, resting gracefully on the water, particularly near masses of floating 
seaweed. Indeed, the Phalaropes, as a genus, are noted among all the smaller 
[Aug. 
