Part 32

Range.—Breeds on the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts north to Virginia; later may stray to Maine.

MOUNTAIN PLOVER 281. Podasocys montanus. 9 in.

No black on breast or sides, but with black hand on fop of head and a black line from bill to eye. Above grayish-brown; below buffy across the breast, white elsewhere. Mountain or Prairie Plover, as they are often and better called, are abundant on the western prairies. Like the Bartramian Sandpiper, they do not frequent the vicinity of water, but live and get their food in the dry grass-covered districts. They are not at all shy where they are not hunted. Like all the family, they are very fleet on foot, and may often be seen chasing grasshoppers or other active insects. Their flight is very rapid, often devious and usually at a low elevation.

Notes.—A single, low, musical whistle.

Nest.—A depression in the ground, anywhere on the prairie. Eggs brownish-gray, blotched with blackish.

Range.—West of the Mississippi River, breeding north to Dakota. Winters from Southwestern United States southward.

TURNSTONE 283. Arenaria interpres. 9.75 in.

Very similar to the next, which is the one figured, but slightly larger, and with black prevailing in the upperparts. This is the Old World species, found in America only in Labrador and Alaska.

RUDDY TURNSTONE 283.1. Arenaria interpres morinella. 9.5 in.

Bill short and stout, the upper mandible being straight, so that the bill has an upturned appearance. Legs reddish on adult birds and orange on young.

Known by a great many names, referring to its peculiarly pied appearance:—Calico-bird, Checkered-snipe, etc. An abundant species usually found on pebbled beaches.

Notes.—One or two clear whistles.

Nest.—A scantily lined hollow; eggs grayish, beautifully marbled with brown, lilac and blackish.

Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters in Southern South America, migrating on both coasts.

AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER 286. Hæmatopus palliatus. 19 in.

Bill very long, heavy, compressed, and thin and chisel-like at the tip. Bill and eye, red; legs flesh color. These large, awkward looking birds are not scarce on the South Atlantic coast, where they are met with in pairs or small companies. They run with great swiftness, or walk sedately along the beaches and marshes gathering insects and fiddler crabs, of which they are very fond. They are said to have got their name from the habit of eating oysters when they found them with the shell open, a practice that would be extremely hazardous for them to undertake, as these shellfish close their two valves very quickly and would be apt to catch the bird. Owing to their large size they are frequently shot at and, consequently, are usually shy.

Nest.—A depression in the sand; the two or three eggs are buffy, spotted with blackish-brown (2.20 × 1.50); May.

Range.—Breeds on the coast north to Virginia; later may stray to Nova Scotia. Winters south of the U. S.

MEXICAN JACANA *** Jacana spinosa. 8 in.

A very peculiar species. Bill plover-like; at the base, terminating in a leaf-like sheaf that covers the forehead; a hard spur on the shoulder of each wing; legs and toes extremely long, the toenails being abnormally so, the hind nail often being an inch and a half long. Young very different from the adult.—Grayish-brown above, with wings greenish-yellow as in adult; below whitish, darker across the breast and on the sides; a light line above the eye. Jacanas are inhabitants of marshy, muddy pools and ponds, where they can easily run over the surface, their long toes getting a good foothold on the floating aquatic plants. They are said to be very pugnacious in defence of their young, and also to fight among themselves during the mating season.

Nest.—Nests made of weeds and trash, on little floating islands or lily pads. 3 to 5 olive colored eggs, curiously scrawled with black (1.20 × .95); May.

Range.—Is found and breeds within our borders only in Southern Texas.

GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC.—Order Gallinæ Family Odontophoridæ

BOB-WHITE; QUAIL; VIRGINIA PARTRIDGE 289. Colinus virginianus. 10 in.

Male with white throat, bordered with black; female with a yellowish-brown throat, and line above eye. One of the most popular “game birds,” so popular that it is exterminated in New England, and birds imported from the west are unable to regain the lost foothold. Found in stubble and low brush, where they hide until almost stepped upon. They feed upon insects and grain.

Notes.—A clear whistled “bob-white” and a series of low, clear whistles when in flocks.

Nest.—Of grass at the end of tunnel in tall grass bordering fields; 8 to 16 white eggs (1.20 × .95); May.

Range.—Resident east of the Rockies, north to Minn. and Ontario. 289a, Fla. Bob-white (C. v. floridanus), found in southern Florida, is extremely dark (shown on plate). 289b, Texan Bob-white (C. v. texanus) is paler with black areas wider.