PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER 201 



times it associates with tlie black-bellied plover (Squatarola squat arola). In 

 the Capricorn Group I met with it in fair numbers on the Masihead Island 

 beaches. Like other migrants observed among the isles, the plover were fresh 

 arrivals, and each day their numbers increased. They were in poor condition 

 and seemed to be exhausted after their great migratory flight. Some of the 

 specimens taken by collectors in our party still retained some of the breeding 

 plumage ; in one example the breast was almost black. 



In New South Wales I observed this species on the sand spits at the sea 

 entrance to Wallis Lake in October, 1921. They were wary, but through field 

 glasses we could see them busily seeking for food. In my own State, Victoria, 

 specimens have been taken both in the summer and winter plumage. The birds 

 frequent open grass country, as well as the seashore ; in fact, they are more 

 abundant often in country of this class than elsewhere in a district. Fre- 

 quently, however, they are seen along river banks and on sea beaches, feeding 

 in company with other species. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Alaska, Asia, Australia, and Oceania; casual in Europe 

 and on the Pacific coast of North America. 



Breeding range. — The Pacific golden plover breed mainly in 

 Siberia but, as mentioned under Pluvialis d. dominica, they range 

 also to western Alaska, where they apparently meet and intergrade 

 with their eastern relatives. The breeding range may be stated as 

 extending north to eastern Siberia (Yenisei River, Cape Chelyuskin, 

 Liakhof Island, Nijni Kolymsk, Cape Baranof , Chaun Bay, and Cape 

 Serdze) ; and Alaska (Wainwright). East to Alaska (Wainwright, 

 probably Point Hope, probably Cape Blossom, Cape Prince of Wales, 

 Nome, St. Michael, and Igiak Bay). South to Alaska (Igiak Bay) ; 

 and Siberia (Bering Island, Kamchatka, and the Yenisei River). 

 West to western Siberia (Yenisei River). 



Winter range, — The winter range extends north to India, China, 

 Japan, and to Hawaiian Islands (Midway, Kauai, and Maui Islands). 

 East to the Hawaiian Islands (Maui), Polynesia, and New Zealand. 

 South to New Zealand and Tasmania. West to Tasmania, Australia, 

 Melanesia, Java, Borneo, and India. 



Migration. — The migration of the Pacific golden plover nesting in 

 Alaska, appears to be entirely oceanic, the flight in both directions 

 being without intermediate stops. Nonbreeding individuals fre- 

 quently remain all summer in the Hawaiian Islands and at other 

 points in Oceania. 



Spring migration. — Early dates of arrival are: China, Soochow, 

 April 18, Shanghai, April 21, and Canton, April 30 ; Japan, Hako- 

 date, May 7; Siberia, Bering Island, May 15, and Nijni Kolymsk, 

 May 30; and Alaska, St. Michael, May 2, Bethel, May 8, Portage 

 Bay, May 13, Hooper Bay, May 16, and Cape Prince of Wales, 

 May 19. 



