PLOVERS 103 



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

 America to Brazil. 



Nest. — A depression in the gronnd lined with old grass. Eggs : 4, light 

 butfy olive, spotted with dark brown or black. 



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

 rave 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 CHARADRIUS. 



272. Charadrius dorainicus Mull. Golden Plover. 



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

 parts black or dusky, spotted with bright yellow and white ; 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- O.SO-7.40, bill .80-1.00, tarsus 1.5,5-1.82. 



Distribution. — North and South America, breeding- in arctic regions, 

 and migrating- to Patagonia. 



Ne.st. — A slight depression in the moss or dry g-rass. Eggs : 4, pale 

 grayish or olive buff to huffy 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 Alai<k(i. 



GENUS ^GIALITIS. 



Genend Characters. — Hind toe wanting ; bill much shorter than head ; 

 colors plain, with or without black l)ands. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



1 . Chest \vithnut trace of black bars montana. p. 105. 



1'. Chest with complete or interrui)ted bar of l)lat'k or dusky in adults. 



2. Chest with two l)lack l)ars vocifera, p. lOo. 



2. Chest witli one complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky. 

 ?). Chest with complete bar. 

 4. Bill not over .55. 



5. Front toes connected by web at l)a.se . semipalniata. p. 104. 

 5'. Middle and inner toe not connected I)y web at b.isc. 



circuniciiicta, j). 104. 



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



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



Subgenus Oxyechus. 



273. JGgialitis vocifera {Linn.). Killdkkk. 



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



