THE BIRD BOOK 



Buffy. 

 The bird, too, is similar, 



275. Ring Plover. Mgialitis hiaticula. 



Range. — A European bird that breeds aljund- 

 antly in Greenland. It nests in great numbers on 

 the banks of streams 

 and in fields, laying ..'-■*. ^ .^ 



its eggs in hollows on ,X^'* * •" ", . •* •. 

 the ground, generally // - -* ' •;'"•<•' 

 without any lining. Mf 

 Their three or four ' 

 eggs are practically 

 not distinguishable 

 from those of the Semi- 

 palmated Plover, but 

 larger; siz'e, 1.40x1.00. 



but the toes are not palmated, and the black 

 breast band is wider. 



[276.] Little Ringed Plover. 

 Mgialitis dubia. 



An Old World species, accidentally occurring 

 on the Pacific coast. Like the last species, but 

 smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20 



X.85. 



277. Piping Plover. Mgialitis meloda. 



Range. — Eastern North America, chiefly along 

 the Atlantic coast, breeding from the Carolinas 

 north to Newfoundland. 



A handsome little bird, with a black crescent 

 on each side of neck, a small black patch on top 

 of the head, and without any black on the lores 

 or ear coverts. It is the lightest colored of any 

 of the eastern Plovers. Length, 7 inches. Young, 

 similar, but the black replaced by grayish, as is 

 the case with the last species. This species, apparently, never could be classed 

 as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather rare along our Atlantic 

 coast; this is probably more due to the building of 

 summer resorts and homes along their former breedin^c ^ _ - \^ 



grounds than to hunters. They are rather more shy 

 than the last species, but will usually attempt to es- 

 cape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather 

 than by flight. Owing to their light colors it is very 

 difl[icult to see them at any distance. They lay their 

 eggs upon the sandy beaches in slight, and generally 

 unlined, hollows. The eggs have a pale clay colored 

 ground and are sparsely specked with small black 

 dots. Size 1.25 X 1.00. Clav Color. 



Ring- Plover. 

 Snowy Plover. 



166 



