24 WADING BIRDS. 



t t All the toes connected at base by a membrane. 



SEMIPALMATED RING PLOVER. 



(Charadrius semipalmatus , Bonap. Synops. et Am. Orn. iv. p. 92, 

 pi. 25. flg. 4. [young,] Tringa hiaticula, Wilson, Am. Orn. vii. 

 p. 65. pi. 59. fig. 3. [adult in spring dress,] Phil. Museum, No.'4750.) 



Sp. Charact. — Dark browiiish-ash ; front, collar, and beneath 

 white ; frontlet, and a ring round the base of the neck, black ; 

 bill and semipalmated feet orange, the former black at tip. — Adult, 

 sincipital band and auriculars black. — In young and autumnal 

 birds, the neck ring is dusky. 



This small species, so nearly related to the Ring Plover 

 of Europe, arrives from the south along our sea coasts, and 

 that of the middle states, towards the close of April, where 

 they are seen feeding and busily collecting their insect fare, 

 until the close of May. They then disappear on their way 

 farther north to breed, and in the summer are even observed 

 as far as the icy shores of Greenland. According to Rich- 

 ardson, they abound in Arctic America during the summer, 

 and breed in similar situations with the Golden Plover. 

 Mr. Hutchins adds, its eggs, generally 4, are dark colored, 

 and spotted with black. The aborigines say, that on the 

 approach of stormy weather, this species utters a chirping 

 noise, and claps its wings, as if influenced by some instinct- 

 ive excitement. The same, or a very similar species, is 

 also met with in the larger West India islands, and in Bra- 

 zil, according to the rude figure and imperfect description 

 of Piso. 



The early commencement of inclement weather, in the 

 cold regions selected for the breeding haunts of this species, 

 induces them to migrate to the south, as soon as their only 

 brood have acquired strength for their indispensable journey. 

 Flocks of the old and young are thus seen in the vicinity of 

 Boston, by the close of the first week in August, and they 



