236 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



rich dark brown, and with small underlying markings 

 of gray. Average measurement, TQ inch in length, by 

 V}^ inch in breadth. The duration of the period of 

 incubation Is unknown, as is also whether the male 

 takes any share in the task. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Asiatic 

 Golden Plover very closely resemble those of the Golden 

 Plover, but are smaller. The locality of the eggs also 

 assists very considerably in their identification, as the 

 European Golden Plover does not breed in the same 

 area. 



Family CHARADRIID/E. Genus Charadrius. 



Sub-family CHARADKIIN.^. 



AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. 



Charadrius fulvus americanus {Sc/ilegel). 



(British. Very rare abnormal autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season, end of June or first half of July. 



Breeding area : Northern Nearctic region. The 

 American Golden Plover breeds on the barren grounds 

 above the limits of forest growth in North America from 

 Alaska to Greenland. 



Breeding habits : The American Golden Plover is 

 a summer visitor to the barren grounds bordering the 

 Arctic Ocean in the New World, reaching Its nesting 

 places at the end of May or in June. But little has 

 been recorded of its habits during the breeding season, 

 but as far as they are known they closely resemble those 

 of the preceding race. MacFarlane met with the nest 

 of this Plover. It was merely a hollow in the moss- or 

 lichen-clothed ground, carelessly lined with a few scraps 



