North American Birds Eggs. 



127 



[269.1]. Dotterel. KiKlroiiiids m<i/'iiitlli(s. 



A Kuropean bird supposed to have l>ei'n accidentally taken on the Atlantic 

 coast. 



270 Black-bellied Plover. SijiKitdroht siiiititdrnhi. 



Range. — Northern Hemisphere, l)reeding in the Arctic regions and wintering 

 from tiie Gulf States to northern South America. 



This is a remarkably handsome species 

 when in the summer dress. The upper 

 parts are largely white with black spots 

 and bars on the back, wings and tail; the 

 throat, sides of head, breast and fore 

 under parts, black. This species has a 

 very small hind toe. It is a very famil- 

 iar liird to s))ortsmen and gunners, to 

 whom it is generally known l)y the names 

 of "Bull-head," or "Beetle-head Plover." 

 They are very numerous in the fall, dur- 

 ing which season the underparts are 

 entirely white. The eggs are either laid 

 upon the l)are ground or upon a slight 

 lining of grasses or dead leaves. They 

 are three or four in numl)er, l)rownish or 

 greenish buff in color antl boldly marked with black. Size2.00 x 1.40. Data. — 

 Point Barrow, Alaska, June, 11)00. Nest a small hollow on side of a hillock, 

 lined with tlry grass. Collector, H. H. Bodfish. 



[27 1.] Golden Plover. <'h((r(i<lriux (Utricfiriiix. 



A European bird, similar to the next, i-asually found in Greenland. 

 It is a very abundant biril throughout Europe, breeding in the northern parts. 

 Its habits, nests and eggs are the same as those of the American bird. 



[(ireenish hiif't'.] 



2 7 2. American Golden Plover. ('}i(ini(lriii-s (hniiiiiiriis. 



Range. — Whole of North Aiuerica, breeding in 

 ing south to Patagonia. 



the Arctic regions and winter- 



Greenish buff. I 



This handsome bird is about the same 

 size as the Black-bellied Plover (10.5 

 inches long); the black of the underparts 

 extends to the lower tail coverts, and the 

 upperparts are variegated with black, 

 golden yellow and white. Their habits 

 are the same as those of the Black-bellied 

 Plover and the two are frequently met 

 with together during migrations. They 

 nest abundantly along the coast and 

 islands of the Arctic Ocean. The four 

 eggs are verv similar to those of the pre- 

 ceding, but smaller. Size 1.90 x 1.30. 

 Data. — Peel River, Arctic America, June 

 1, 1898. Nest of grasses and leaves on the 

 ground in the moss. Col.. (\ E. Whittaker. 



