BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 229 



Dr. Coues is of opiniou that tlie American bird cauuot be specifically 

 separated from the Asiatic G.fulvus (an nudonbted specimen of which 

 has been recently obtained in the Prybilov Islands). It can always be 

 distinguished from our European C. pluvialis by its gray axillaries. An 

 excellent account of the aj^pearances of this species in Bermuda is given 

 by Mr.Hurdis (Nat. in 13., pp. 71-77), who goes carefully and thoroughly 

 into the question of its wonderful migrations. Colonel Wedderburn 

 says (p. 30): "During some years large flocks of these birds pass over 

 the islands in the months of September and October; but, unless in 

 stormy weather, they do not alight in any great numbers. I have seen 

 it as early as the 21st August, 1847, at Ireland Island ; again, on the 

 25th July, 1848, at Hamilton. The latter was a single bird sitting on 

 the road close to the house in which I lived, but by the time I got out 

 it was gone. On the 9th March, 1852, one was shot in beautiful plum- 

 age, on the north shore ; and this is the only instance of its appearing 

 in spring." Numbers appeared in September, 1874, frequenting the 

 grassy slopes of the north shore — their favorite haunt — and even the 

 parade grounds, during the continuance of a three days' revolving gale. 

 Manj^ were shot, all in the mottled dress which procured for the species 

 the specific name " marmoratus.^^ Small flocks continued to arrive at 

 intervals during the autumn, remaining only a few days in each case. 

 1 obtained specimens on the 14th and 23d November in complete winter 

 dress. The arrival of the Golden Plover in August or September is the 

 beginning of the shooting season in Bermuda, and is eagerly looked for 

 bj' the British oflicer, who forgets all the heat and discomfort of the 

 summer in the ])leasure of once again handling his gun and cartridges. 

 And a nicely-cooked Golden Plover for breakfast is by no means to be 

 despised, as those who have been trifling with tough fowls and doubt- 

 ful eggs for months can well testify. The note of this species differs 

 from that of C. pluvialis; it sounds like " wee-o-wee," sharply but clearly 



l)ronounced. 



Genus -^gialitis, Boie. 



94. JEgialitis vociferus, (Linn.) Bp, Kildeer Plover. 



Charadrius rociferus, Liuu., Gm., Lath., Wils., Bp., Sw. & Rich., Nutt., And. 



Scbl., and of earlier authors goucrally. 

 JEgialitis rociferus, Bp., Cab., Scl., Coop. & Suck., Dress., Lawr., and of most 



later writers. 

 Oxyechus rociferus, Reich. 

 Charadrius ioi-quatus, Linn. 

 Cha radri iis ja inaicensis, Gin . 



Length, about 9.50; wing, 6.50; tail, 3.50. 



