KILLDEER PLOVER. 



Cearadriid^.] 



^GIALITIS VOCIFERA (LiNNJiUs). 



Explanation of Plate. 



Figure 1. Ontario, May 24, 1883. 



„ 2. South Dakota, May 24, 1891. 

 „ 3. Ontario, May 24, 1883. 

 „ 4. Mexico, June 24, 1890. 

 „ 5. Missouri, May 7, 1891. 

 „ 6. Colorado, June 16, 1886. 



In collection of H. Massey, Esq. 



There are only one or two British records of the occurrence of this American 

 species. 



Describing the distribution of this Plover, Dr. E, Coues writes * : — " Abundant 

 throughout the Missouri region, as elsewhere in suitable localities in North 

 America. The Killdeer is conspicuous among the few waders that breed at large 

 through the United States, the great majority of these birds passing further north- 

 ward for this purpose. Being, also, one of the most numerous and widely diffused, 

 few birds are more familiarly known. It must not be inferred, however, from its 

 general dispersion at various seasons that it is non-migratory. On the contrary, 

 it performs extensive journeys, reaching even to South America. I think it 

 migrates chiefly by night. As I sit at midnight penning these pages, in the 

 town of Columbia, South Carolina, in February, I continually hear their well- 

 known piercing notes as they pass rapidly on through the darkness." 



Keferring to this species, Wilson writes f : — " As spring advances it resorts to 

 the newly ploughed fields, or level plains bare of grass, interspersed with shallow 

 pools ; or, in the vicinity of the sea, dry bare sandy fields. In some such situation 

 it generally chooses to breed, about the beginning of May. The nest is usually 

 slight, a mere hollow, with such materials drawn in around it as happen to be 

 near, such as bits of sticks, straw, pebbles or earth. In one instance I found the 



* ' Birds of the North- West,' p. 452. 



t 'American Ornithology,' vol. vii. (1813), pp. 73, 74. 



