PIPING PLOVER 
277. Bgialitis meloda. 7 in. 
Very pale above; no black in front of eye; black patch 
on each side of breast. Young similar, but the black 
replaced by grayish, as is the case with the last spe- 
cies. This species, apparently, never could be classed 
as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather 
rare along our Atlantic coast; this is probably more 
due to the building of summer resorts and homes along 
their former breeding grounds than to hunters. They 
are rather more shy than the last species, but will usu- 
ally attempt to escape by running along the beach or 
by hiding, rather than by flight. Owing to their light 
colors it is very difficult to see them at any distance. 
Notes.—A two-syllabled piping whistle. 
Nest.—On the ground; eggs buff with fine black 
specks. 
Range.—Breeds on the coast from Va. to Newfound- 
land and in the Mississippi Valley. 
