64 WADING BIRDS. 



SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER. 



yEciALITIS SEMIPALMATA. 



Char. Above, brownish ash; forehead white, bordered with black; 

 cheeks black ; throat and band round neck white ; breast and band round 

 neck black; bill orange, tipped with black; under parts white. Length 

 about 7 inches. 



Nest. On the margin of a salt-marsh or a swampy inlet of the sea ; a 

 slight hollow partially lined with grass or weeds. 



Eggs. 2-4 (usually 4); greenish buff or olive drab, marked with sev- 

 eral shades of brown; size variable, average 1.30 X 0.95. 



This small species, so nearly related to the Ring Plover of 

 Europe, arrives from the South along our sea-coasts and those 

 of the Middle States towards the close of April, where it is 

 seen feeding and busily collecting its insect fare until the close 

 of May. These birds then disappear on their way farther 

 north to breed, and in the summer are even observed as far as 

 the icy shores of Greenland. According to Richardson they 

 abound in Arctic America during the summer, and breed in 

 similar situations with the Golden Plover. Mr. Hutchins adds, 

 its eggs, generally four, are dark colored and spotted with 

 black. The aborigines say that on the approach of stormy 

 weather this species utters a chirping noise and claps its wings, 

 as if influenced by some instinctive excitement. The same, or 

 a very similar species, is also met with in the larger West 

 India islands and in Brazil according to the rude figure and 

 imperfect description of Piso. 



The early commencement of inclement weather in the cold 

 regions selected for their breeding haunts induces the Ring 

 Plovers to migrate to the South as soon as their only brood 

 have acquired strength for their indispensable journey. Flocks 

 of the old and young are thus seen in the vicinity of Boston by 

 the close of the first week in August, and they have been 

 observed on the shores of the Cumberland, in Tennessee, by 

 the ninth of September. 



The Semi-palmated Ring Plover, though so well suited for an 

 almost aquatic life, feeds on land as well as marine insects, 

 collecting weavels and other kinds, and very assiduously cours- 



