Killdeer 133 



The Killdeer is perhaps the commonest of all the waders in Colorado ; 

 it is a summer resident, arriving from the south early in March and 

 breeding throughout the State, from the plains to about 10,000 feet, 

 between April and June. It leaves again for the south late in October. 



Breeding records are : Barr (Hersey & Rockwell), EL Paso co. 

 (Aiken) and Baca co. (Warren), in the plains ; Breckenridge (Carter) 

 and Twin Lakes (Scott), in the mountains ; Mesa co. (Rockwell) and 

 La Plata co. (Morrison), on the western slope. H. G. Smith in- 

 formed Henderson that he saw three just east of Boulder, 

 December 31st, 1904 ; possibly a few individuals winter in the 

 State. 



Habits. — This little Plover, which gets its common 

 name from its shrill two-syllabled whistle, is commonly 

 found in Colorado, not only near water but in high, dry 

 prairies and mesas. It is not specially gregarious, and 

 is generally met with in pairs, except at migration time. 

 As a rule it is not very shy and is easily approached, 

 while it is bold and most demonstrative in defence of 

 its young. 



It makes its nest on the ground, very generally near 

 water on the sand, but at other times m meadows or 

 cultivated fields and even in quite dry, high places. 

 The nest, a poor affair of a few twigs is arranged in a 

 depression. The eggs, almost always four in number, 

 are buffy or drab, with spots and heavy blotches of 

 dark purplish or blackish-brown, most numerous at 

 the larger end. In shape they are very pyriform and 

 pointed, and they average TS x 1'05. The nesting 

 time appears to extend over a long period in Colorado. 

 Gale found eggs exceptionally early in April, and gives 

 as an average date, April 20th to May 20th ; an egg in 

 the Colorado College Museum, presented by I. C. Hall, 

 was taken so late as June 24th, near Greeley, and is 

 stated to have been fresh and unincubated. Possibly 

 two broods are raised. Both parents share in the labours 

 of incubation. 



