636 Tllli KJLLDKUK. 



maining uiulerparts pure white; tlie brown of l)ack encroaching on sides of breast 

 between blaciv bars, and sometimes sutifusing entire space between them; eve-hds 

 bright orange-red; bill black; legs pale. Young: \\"\\h ratluT more ochraceous 

 or pale rusty edging on back than adult. Length y.00-11.25 (228.(1-^X5.81 ; wing 

 6.34 ( 161 ) ; tail 3.51) iyi.2) ; bill 81 (20.6) ; tarsus 1.41 (35.8). 



Recognition Marks. — Robin size; black and white bands of bead and breast; 

 tawn\' rump; \ociferous " KiUdccv" cries. 



Nesting. — Xrst: on the groun<l, often upon gravel, unlined. Eyys: 4. ovate- 

 P3riforni, but^'y wdiite or clay-color, boldly spotted and blotched or .scrawled with 

 chocolate-brown or brownish black. Av. size, 1.48 .\ 1.06 (37.6 .x 26.9). Season: 

 .April 20- June I ; one brood. 



General Range. — Temperate North .\merica-, breeding north to I'.ritish 

 Columbia. .Manitoba, and Newfoundland, migrating to West Indies. Central 

 America, and northern South .America. 



Range in Washington. — Common summer resident and migrant on East- 

 side; less common summer resident an<l tardv' spring migrant west of Ca.scades ; 

 casually resident east and west: ^'akinia, Dec. 7, i8qo; 'I'acoma, Jan. ro, 1891 

 (several flocks); Jan. 10, 1907 (Flock of 15). 



Migrations. — S/^riiit/: \"cry irregiilar — March (East-side), ]\Iarch-.April 

 ( \\"est-side I ; Chelan, March 20, 1896; Seattle, March 18, 1889; Tacoma, .April 

 II, 1906. 



Authorities. — .lc(/ialitis rocifcrns (I^inn.) Cassin. Baird, l\e]i. I'ac. R. R. 

 Snrv. 1858, p. (,92. '1\ C&S. L-\ Rh. D'. Sr. D^ J. B. E. 



Specimens. — U. of W. Prov. P. B. E. 



.M/PTK.) the shrill cry of the Killdeer shouling his name is a welcome 

 soun<l when it cuts across the frosty sky in earlv spring, one can scarcelv 

 forgi\'e him the immoderate clamor of midsummer, nor the officious way 

 in which this self-a])])ointed guide heralds the approach id' the huntsman 

 to every li\ing thing. If yon are actual!}' near the nest there is some excuse 

 foi" alarm, .-iml the female does not fail to try e\'ery ruse in the endeavor to 

 lure \'ou away from the dangerous spot. T'^irst she rolls and flounders 

 away across the ground, screaming with agony, as tlio she had been step])ed 

 on. Btit if you ai'e sini])le enough to follow, the bird gradually reco\-ers, 

 and is soon able to palter along ahead of }'ou with tolerable celerity. The 

 male. too. is no in<litlerent s])ecfator. He comes as near as he dares, and 

 shrieks, "Pair. dear, licar. dear, dear." until the wonder is that he does not 

 burst a blood \essel or s])lit his \'ocal cords. Interested neighbors add their 

 frenzy to the din. until m des])eration \du are almost read\' to belie\'e \'ourself 

 the frightful \-illain thev are all accusing you of being. If von are willing 

 to quit the ])lace a l)e\\- of fathers will jjilot yim out of bounds. One will 

 patter ahead of \du \\itli bi'cast pushed forw.trd anil legs inci'cdibh- nimble, 

 onlv to pull u]) presentl}' with a jerk and a com])ensatory bob to ask if vou 

 are following. The others describe a great half-circle about \'ou with graceful 



