G4 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
CHARADRIUS HELVETICUS, Linn .-Black-bellied Plover. 
Charadrius helveticus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. Y, p. 199, pi. 315.— Nutt, Orn. vol. II, p. 26. 
Vanellus helveticus, Wjls. Am. Orn vol. YU, p. 42, pi. 57, fig. 4. 
Tringa lidvetica, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. C76. 
I sliot a single specimen of this bird on the seashore of San Diego, in February, 1851, but 
have seen it several times exposed for sale in the San Francisco market. 
? CHARADRIUS CANTIANUS, Lath .—Kentish Plover. 
Charadrius cantianm, Lath. Birds, vol IX, p. 328.— Gould, B. of Eur. vol. IV, pi. 298.— Yarrell, Brit. Birds, vol 
II, p. 405. 
Kentish plover, Macgill. Brit. Birds, vol. VI, p. 44, pi. 186. 
A young plumaged bird of the genus Charadrius , previously unknown to us as a North 
American species, was obtained at San Diego, in January, 1854. It so closely resembles in its 
young plumage the European plover ( Charadrius cantianus ) that I do not feel justified, at 
present, in describing it as a distinct species, more especially so as I did not procure the adult. 
The '^following is the description of the specimen procured: Upper parts of a brownish ash 
color, the primaries being of a dusky black. Wing coverts edged with white. Forehead, 
breast, a collar around the neck, and all the under parts, white. On each side of the breast 
an ash brown spot, which color also is that of the auriculars. Bill black. Feet dark brown. 
Leno-th six inches. I found it associated in flocks with the peep, ( Tringa wilsoni ,) resorting to 
the sea beach, which, exposed at low tide, offers a bountiful supply of food to many species of 
waders. The low plaintive whistle of this plover is often repeated as it glides along the sandy 
beach, occasionally coming to a stand and gazing around for some moments as if on the lookout 
for danger. While thus stationary this bird is not readily perceived, as its color approaches 
closely that of the sand on which it rests. 
CHARADRIUS MONT ANUS, Towns .—Rocky Mountain Plover. 
Charadrius montanus, Towns, Jour. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. VII, p. 192.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. V, p. 213, pi. 318. 
I first met with this quiet and gentle bird on the plains near the Pueblo Los Angelos, in the 
month of November, scattered in small flocks industriously gleaning tlieir subsistence over these 
broad levels. They appeared unsuspicious, uttering a low whistle when disturbed and flying 
but a short distance, resuming their occupation at once on alighting. I procured a pair of these 
birds in New Mexico and saw several flocks there, usually in the vicinity of prairie dog villages 
or on the most arid plains. 
APHRIZA VIRGfATA, G-melin.—Townsend’s Surf Bird. 
Aphriza toivnsendii, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. V, p. 228, pi. 322. 
Aphriza virgata, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 698. 
I obtained this bird in the San Francisco market in the winter of 1849, and subsequently in 
June, met with it on the Farrallone Islands. They there gathered in small flocks engaged 
in picking up marine insects from its rock bound shores, covered with kelp and shell fish. They 
did not appear wild, for when fired at, uttering a low piping note as they flew, they soon 
alighted again. Closely pursued, however, they would, after several shots, fly away beyond 
danger to the adjoining islands of the group. 
