148 BlEDS OF NOETH CaKOLINA 



131. iEgialitis semipalmata (Bonap.). Semipalmated Plover. 



Ads. in summer. — Featliers at l)as(! of upper mandiljle, front of crown, sides of head below 

 eye, and a band on Ijrcast, wliieh generally encircles the neck all around, black; rest of underparts 

 and a ring around the neck while; Ijack of head and back lirownisli gray; inner tail-feathers 

 brownish gray, outer ones becoming gradually white; toes welibed at the base. Winter plumage. — 

 Similar, but black replaced by brownish gray. L., 0.75; \\., 4.80; Tar., .90; B., ..50. (Chap., 

 Birds of K. iV. A.) 



Raufic. — Both Americas, breeding from the Clulf of St. Lawrence northward, and wintering 

 from South Carolina to Patagonia. 



Range in North Carolina. — Coiistal region during the migriitions, occa.sionally inland. 



FlU. 111. SK.MII>.\LM.\Tf;r) PL0\'EB. 



Tliis bird is frefnicntly called Riiifriicck. It is a common migrant on the coast. 

 Though chiefly maritime with us, three specimens have been taken at Raleigh 

 (C. S. Brimley), two in 1884 and one in 1909, both in May. 



The Semipalmated Plover usually goes in small flocks, and feeds on the mud- 

 flats, marshes, and sea-beaches. It is a neat, graceful little plover, of quick move- 

 ments, both on the ground and in flight. It is frequently found in company with 

 flocks of other small shore-birds, known collectively as "peeps." 



132. ^gialitis meloda {Ord.). Piping Ploveu. 



Ads. in summer. — Ui)perparts pale whitish ashy; forehead, underparts, and a ring around 

 the neck white; front of the crown and a band on either sitle of the breast, sometimes complete, 

 black; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Winter plumaije. — Similar, but 

 bhick replaced by brownish gray. L., 7.00; \V., 4.7.5; Tar., .8.5; B., ..50. (Chap., liirds of E. X. A.) 



Range. — Breeds from North Carolina northward; winters from Georgia southward to northern 

 Mexico. 



Range in North Carolina. — Coastal region during the migrations, also detected breeding on 

 Pea Island by Bishop. 



This is another of the little jjlovers that freciuent the beaches in luiinhers iltiring 

 the migrations. In habits it very much resembles the foregoing, but in appearance 

 it is noticeably different. Its general coloration renders it most inconspicuous on 

 the shell-strewn stretches of sand it inhabits. The note of this bird is particularly 

 musical and striking. 



Bishop rei)()rts it as a common summer resident at Pea Island, breeding in May. 

 The nests are placetl among the drift on the sand. The eggs are pale buff in ground 

 color, speckled with black and purplish graj'. Size 1.29 x .95. They are four in 

 number and are deposited in a mere depression in the sand. 



