213 
ROCKY-MOUNTAIN PLOVER. 
Charadrius montanus, Towns. 
PLATE CCCXVIIL— Female. 
For the following brief account of this bird, I am indebted to my learned 
and obliging friend Thomas Nuttall. 
“ This remarkable species, so much allied to the Charadrius Wilsoni, was 
scarcely seen by us for more than one or two days, and then on the central 
table-land of the Rocky Mountains, in the plains near the last of the streams 
of the Platte, pursued in our western and northern route. It being the 
month of July when we saw it, there is little doubt but that it was breeding 
in this subalpine region. The only individual shot, was seen skulking and 
running through the wormwood bushes which so generally clothe those arid 
and dry wastes. After running some time, it would remain perfectly still, 
as if conscious of the difficulty of distinguishing it from the colour of the 
grey soil on which it stood. All that we saw were similar to the present 
individual, and none, however flushed, took to the wing. We do not recol- 
lect hearing from it the slightest complaint or note of any kind, being in- 
tent probably on concealing its young or eggs by a perfect silence.” 
The skin from which I made my drawing was that of a female ; and it is 
my opinion, that the male, when found, will have as distinct markings as 
those exhibited by Charadrius melodus or Charadrius semipalmatus. 
Charadrius montanus, Towns., Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 192. 
Rocky-Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p.369 
Female, 8i, wing 6£. 
Rocky Mountains. 
Adult Female. 
Bill shorter than the head, straight, somewhat cylindrical. Upper mandi- 
ble with the dorsal line straight to beyond the middle, then bulging a little 
and curving to the rather acute tip, which projects beyond that of the lower 
mandible, the sides flat and sloping at the base, convex towards the end. 
Nasal groove extended to the middle of the bill ; nostrils basal, linear, open 
and pervious. Lower mandible with the angle rather short, the sides at the 
Yol. Y. 30 
