Part 22

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 7 to 8 inches; wing, 4 to 5; bill, about 3/4 of an inch. Three toes with a small

There are a number of other plovers on the hunting grounds of the Pacific Coast, but they are either too small or the flesh too poor to interest the sportsman. Of these the killdeer plover is the most common and the best known. A description of these would be of no interest to the sportsman and therefore add nothing to the purposes of this work.

THE AVOCET

(Recurvirostra americana)

The family =Recurvirostridae= has but two representatives on the Coast. The American avocet breeds from Washington southward and spends its winters from central California south. They are quite plentiful in southern California during the winter months, increasing in numbers in Lower California and Mexico. Its webbed feet and long upward turned bill are features by which it may always be known. It is generally found in flocks and frequents both fresh and salt-waters.

=Color=--Head and neck, ashy gray; back and under parts, white; the primaries and upper half of the secondaries, black, making the wing about half black; bill, very slender and curved upward; legs, very long and of a lead color; feet, webbed.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest contains three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 8, and bill, 3-1/2 inches.

THE BLACK-NECKED STILT

(Himantopus mexicanus)

The black-necked stilt is the other representative of the family. The stilt breeds as far north as eastern Oregon, but is little seen north of southern California in the winter. From there south it is plentiful. It may be easily known by the back of its head and neck, its back being black and the rest of the plumage nearly pure white. Its legs are a dark pink.

=Color=--Wings, back, back of neck and top of head, black; balance of the plumage, white; legs, dark pink and very long. Toes, three and partly webbed.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is rarely anything but bare ground on which is deposited three to four eggs of a pale brown, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, about 15-1/2 inches; wing, 9, and bill 2-3/4 inches.

Order, LIMICOLAE

Family, CHARADRIDAE - Plovers

Genus Species Common Names Range and Breeding Grounds -------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------------------

{squatarola Black-bellied {From Mexico north. { plover {Breeds from Oregon { . {north to Alaska. Charadrius { {dominicus Golden plover Only an occasional migrant.

{From Alaska south to {semipalmata Ring-necked {Lower California. Breeds { plover {in its northern range. { { {From Central California {nivosa Snowy plover {south to Lower California AEgialitis { {and Mexico. Breeds { {throughout its range. { {montana Mountain plover {Interior plains of { {California and Arizona. { {Breeds in the mountain { {valleys. { {wilsonia Wilson's plover {From Oregon south to {Mexico. Breeds {throughout its range.

Order, LIMICOLAE

Family, RECURVIROSTRIDAE - Avocets and Stilts

Genus Species Common Names Range and Breeding Grounds -------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------------------

Recurvirostra americana Avocet { From Mexico north to { California. Breeds from { Eastern Oregon south.

Himantopus Mexicanus Black-necked { From Mexico to Southern stilt { California. Breeds near { the mountain lakes.

THE GAME FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST

Like in that portion of this work devoted to the game birds, this also is written in popular language, avoiding, as far as possible, all technical words and phrases, with the intention of furnishing a plain description of the game fishes of the Coast which anyone, unlearned in the science of ichthyology, may understand, and by which be able to identify any of the fishes he may capture.

With fishes, like with birds, there are certain parts that must be referred to in order to show wherein one species differs from another. Wherever these parts have a common English name, that name has been used. But as there are a few parts that can only be referred to by their scientific names, a diagram has been added showing the location of all parts referred to in the text.