AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER 
s 
272. Charadrius dominicus. 10.5 in. 
No hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and 
yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the tail. 
Young and winter adults, more or less spotted with 
yellow and blackish-brown above, and grayish-white be- 
low, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often con- 
fused with the last species in this plumage, but is 
smaller, bill smaller and more slender, and the axillars, 
or feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are gray 
while those ot the Black-bellied Plover are black. This 
species is now regarded as rare on the North Atlantic 
coast during migrations, while in the interior it is more 
abundant than the last species. They do not seem to be 
as suspicious as the Black-bellies, and a flock will often 
allow a close approach, even when they see you. 
Nest.—Nesting habits like those of the last, and other 
shore birds; eggs slightly smaller (1.90 x 1.30). 
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south 
to South America. 
