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Distinctions. With the above description the Plover are not likely to be confused 
with anything else. 
Nesting. On ground in a slight depression usually lined with scanty grass, moss, 
other waste vegetation, or pebbles. 
Distribution. In closely related or nearly identical forms the family is cireumpolar 
in distribution, breeding mostly north of present settlement. 
The Plover are well known to the sportsman. They average larger 
in size than the Snipes and some of them which feed in upland fields offer 
considerable sport. 
Economic Status. Asa family they frequent cultivated land more than 
other Shore Birds and hence are of somewhat greater economic interest. 
They are actively helpful to man. 
270. Black-bellied Plover. BULL-HEAD. FR.—LE PLUVIER A VENTRE NOIR, VAN- 
NEAU GRIS. Squatarola squatarola. L, 11. Spring plumage—back, almost black with 
many broad white feather-tips aggregated on wings; crown and hindneck, almost white; 
cheeks, throat, foreparts and breast to abdomen, pure black, often showing white feathers 
remaining from immaturity. Autumn plumage—back, weak brown with cream or yellow- 
ish feather ends to top of head; throat, foreneck, and underparts dull whitish with indis- 
tinct breast-band of veiled stripes. All intermediate plumages are taken within our bound- 
aries. 
Distinctions. Plover-like characters; will be mistaken only for the Golden Plover 
which it closely resembles. The presence of a small though well-formed hind toe is peculiar 
to this bird as it is our only Plover with a fourth toe. 
Field Marks. Requiring separation only from the Golden Plover. Rather incon- 
spicuous white band on the spread wing, axillars black, in strong contrast to background 
of underwing surface when flying, and white rump to be seen under favourable conditions. 
Distribution. A circumpolar species breeding in America along the Arctic coast 
northwest of Hudson bay. More or less common in migration in suitable habitats through- 
out eastern Canada. 
272. American Golden Plover. FR.—PLUVIER DORE D’AMERIQUE. Charadrius 
dominicus. L, 10-50. Spring plumage—back almost black to top of head, with numerous 
yellow feather-tips, more scanty on crown; forehead and line over eye, descending to 
sides of breast, white; throat, foreneck, and ‘all underparts solid black. Autumn plumage 
—above, dull ‘brown with many cream to yellow feather-edge spots, aggregating on 
rump and crown; throat and face, white or whitish slightly spotted; breast and all below, 
faintly barred with dull white and light tints of the brown of the back. All intermediate 
plumages may be seen. 
Distinctions. A slightly smaller bird than the foregoing but easily confused with it. 
The large amount of yellow on the back of spring plumage and the faint barrings of the 
breast and underparts in the autumn are characteristic. The absence of any trace of 
hind toe is diagnostic in any plumage. 
Field Marks. Only needing separation from the previous species. Extended wing 
without any indication of white band; axillars smoke-grey instead of conspicuous black; 
rump not white. 
Distribution. Breeds in the barren grounds from Hudson bay westward. It is said 
to have extraordinary migration routes. In the autumn it moves eastward to Labrador, 
then southward across the gulf of St. Lawrence to Nova Scotia, where it takes an over-sea 
route to Brazil without touching intermediate land unless storm-driven. From thence 
it works down to the Argentine pampas. In the spring it strikes western South America 
about Equador, crosses the isthmus of Panama and the gulf of Mexico, and follows up the 
Mississippi valley to its breeding grounds. That it takes this immense flight over the 
broad Atlantic without resting seems too remarkable to be true, but as it is not a pro- 
ficient swimmer able to rest on the water at will, the evidence points towards this conclu- 
sion. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Golden Plover is divided into two subspecies; only 
the Eastern Golden Plover, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 
Once far more common than now. Within the memory of living 
sportsmen large flocks were regularly seen; now only occasional birds are 
met with. It is very closely related to the Golden Plover of Europe. 
