PLOVERS 103 



chiefly in the northern hemisphere, breeding- far north ; south in winter in 

 America to Brazil. 



Nest. A depression in the ground lined with old grass. Eygs : 4, light 

 huffy olive, spotted with dark brown or black. 



" I have found this species quite common upon both coasts but 

 rare inland, where it seldom stops except to rest on its migratory 

 flights to and from its breeding-grounds. ... In habits it is similar 

 to the golden plover." (Goss.) 



GENUS CHARADBIUS. 



272. Char adr his dominions Mail. GOLDEN PLOVER. 



Hind toe wanting-, bill small and slender. Adults in snitinifr : upper 

 parts black or dusky, spotted with bright yellow and Avhite ; face, throat, 

 and belly black, bordered with a line of white ; tail dusky, barred with 

 gray or yellow. Adults in winter : under parts mottled dusky gray ; back 

 less golden than in summer. Young : like winter adults, but with upper 

 parts more golden, and yellow wash over neck and breast. Length : U.50- 

 10.80, wing 0.80-7.40, bill .80-1.00, tarsus 1.55-1.82. 



Distribution. North and South America^ breeding in arctic regions, 

 and migrating to Patagonia. 



N< j st. A slight depression in the moss or dry grass. Eggs: 4, pale 

 grayish or olive buff to buffy brown, spotted with dark brown or black. 



In the United States the golden plover is a common migrant east 

 of the Rocky Mountains, but less frequently seen toward the Pacific 

 coast. 



For an interesting account of its breeding habits see Nelson's 

 Birds of Alaska. 



GENUS ^EGIALITIS. 



General Characters. Hind toe wanting ; bill much shorter than head ; 

 colors plain, with or without black bands. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



]. Chest without trace of black bars montaiia, p. 105. 



1'. Chest with complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky in adults. 



2. Chest with two black bars vocifera. p. 103. 



2'. Chest with one complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky. 

 3. Chest with complete bar. 

 4. Bill not over .55. 



5. Front toes connected by web at base . semipalmata. p. 104. 

 5'. Middle and inner toe not connected by web at base. 



circumciiicta, p. 104. 



4'. Bill about .80 wilsonia, p. 105. 



3'. Chest with only a black spot on each side . . . nivosa, p. 105. 



Subgenus Oxyechus. 



273. JEgialitis VOCifera (Linn.). KILLDEER. 



Adults. Chest crossed by two black bands, the upper encircling the 



