Species VI. CHARADRIUS APRICARIUS* 



BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. 



[Plate LVII. Fig. 4] 



Alwagrim Plover, Arct. Zool. p. 483, No. 398. — Le Pluvier dorS d, gorge noire, Bdff. 



VIII., 85. 



This bird is known in some parts of the country by the name of the 

 large Whistling Field Plover. It generally makes its first appearance 

 in Pennsylvania late in April ; frequents the countries towards the 

 mountains ; seems particularly attached to newly ploughed fields, where 

 it forms its nest, of a few slight materials, as slightly put together. 

 The female lays four eggs, large for the size of the bird, of a light olive 

 color, dashed with black ; and has frequently two broods in the same 

 season. It is an extremely shy and watchful bird, though clamorous 

 during breeding time. The young are without the black color on the 

 breast and belly until the second year, and the colors of the plumage 

 above are likewise imperfect till then. They feed on worms, grubs, 

 winged insects, and various kinds of berries, particularly those usually 

 called dewberries, and are at such times considered e.xquisite eating. 

 About the beginning of September, they descend with their young to 

 the seacoast, and associate with the numerous multitudes then returning 

 from their breeding places in the north. At this season they abound 

 on the plains of Long Island. They have a loud whistling note ; often 

 fly at a great height ; and are called by many gunners along the coast, 

 the Black-bellied Kildeer. The young of the first year have considera- 

 ble resemblance to those of the Golden Plover ; but may be easily dis- 

 tinguished from this last by the largeness of their head and bill, and in 



* Charadrius Helveiicus, Bonaparte, Journal Acad. Nat. Sc. v., p. 103. Ann. 

 Lye. II., p. 298. — Vanellus Heleeiicus, Briss. v., p. 107, pi. 10, fig. 1. summer dress. 

 Ord's reprint, vii., p. 42. — Vanellus griseiis, Id. p. 100, pi. 9, fig. 1, winter dress. — 

 Vanellus varius. Id. p. 103, pi. 9, fig. 2, young. — Tringa Heleelica, Lath. Ind. Orn. 

 p. 728, No. 10, summer dress of the adult. — T. squatarola, Id. p. 729. No. 11, winter 

 plumage. — Le Vanneau varie, Burp. PI. Enl. 923, winter dress. —Le Vaniieau gris, 

 Id. 854, young. — Le Vanneau Suisse, Id. 853, summer dress of adult. — Gra;/ Sandy- 

 piper, Arct. Zool. No. 393. — Swiss Sandpiper, Id. No. 396. — British Zool. No. 191. 

 — Edwards, III , pi. 140. — Vanellus melanozaster, Bechstein, iv., p. 356. — Lath. 

 Si/n. III., p. 167, No. 10 ; p. 168, No. 11 ; p. 169, Var. A.— Id. Supp. p. 248.— Temu. 



Man. d'Orn. 549. 



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