CATALOGUE OF VERTEBHATES. 599 



" Common on the coast, but less seldom seen along our rivers 

 than the following two species. Accompany other birds, and 

 during the summer are generally seen by twos and threes. More 

 gregarious as the season advances. During violent northeast 

 storms are sometimes driven up the rivers, but make as short a 

 stay as practicable. Author found them on the beach, off Bar- 

 negat, as late as November 12th, in 1862. They were in com- 

 pany with ' sanderlings ' and ' red-backed sandpipers.' " — [C. 

 C. A.] 



^. semipalmata, Bonap. King Plover. Semipalmated Plover. Ring- 

 neck Plover. 



Bill black tipped, short and stout ; feet webbed at base ; plum- 

 age dark ashy brown, with forehead, hind-neck ring and lower 

 parts white ; a broad band across breast, black in summer and 

 grayish brown in winter ; lighter in female. Length, 7 inches. 



"In May, in company with Actodromas bonapartei (Tringa 

 fuscicoUis), this beautiful bird frequents the Delaware and Rari- 

 tan Rivers, and although found throughout the summer, is less 

 abundant in June and July than in May, and more plentiful in 

 August than at any other time. They breed within State limits, 

 but author has found no nests as yet. Seldom are seen far from 

 running water, and generally in company with other birds." 



^. meloda, Ord. Piping Plover. 



Toes slightly webbed, or web absent between middle and inner 

 toes ; upper parts brownish gray ; white below, and on forehead 

 and hind- neck collar; black patch on each side of chest; in 

 female and in winter male this patch duller. Length, 6| inches. 

 "Arrives on the coast in May, but do not appear to remain for 

 any length of time, although some breed in the immediate 

 neighborhood of the ocean. About the middle of May, they 

 appear on the Delaware in large flocks, but are very uncertain 

 in their movements, being one day as abundant as the following 

 they are scarce. In August, both inland and on the coast, they 

 are more abundant. Are generally vet^y numerous about New 

 Brunswick, on the Raritan, in August." 



