‘THE KILLDEER. 635 
“The Golden Plover is the most abundant of the strictly migrant species 
of the family. In April it usually appears in flocks of from thirty to one hun- 
dred birds in high meadows and pastures. Their flight is very swift, and the 
flocks are very close. All movements, when on the wing, are performed with 
wonderful rapidity and unanimity. They run quickly in the grass, and, while 
rather shy, exhibit considerable curiosity and some degree of confidence. 
Their voice is a pleasant mellow whistle frequently repeated while on the wing. 
During the spring migrations while with us they are changing from winter to 
breeding plumage. Generally the colors of winter predominate, but sometimes 
specimens are taken with the underparts nearly uniform black. In Septem- 
ber they return in full winter plumage, and now frequent the gravelly and 
muddy borders of streams, sometimes in large flocks and sometimes in pairs or 
as single birds, solitary or in company with Tattlers and Sandpipers. At this 
season their habits are less active than in spring. They are the only birds of 
the family whose size, abundance, and other qualities entitle them to any 
consideration as a game bird. As such they are generally esteemed” 
( Wheaton). 
The Golden Plover is to be accounted an abundant bird in many parts of 
the Arctic regions, especially on the Barren Grounds. McFarlane recorded 
the finding of one hundred and fourteen sets of eggs during the passage of 
his expedition from the edge of the northern woods across the Barren 
Grounds to the shores of the Arctic Ocean. During the breeding season 
the male “is accustomed to utter a sweet melodious song, most frequently 
heard during the brief hours of the Arctic night.” Nelson represents this 
song by the syllables, “tee-lee-lee, tu Iee Ice wit, wit, wit, wee-u wit, che lee 
u too lee-ec.” 
No. 254. 
KILLDEER. 
Vv A. O. U. No. 273. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.). 
Synonyms.—KiLprer. KInLpER Plover. KILLbEr. 
Description.—4Adu/t: Crown, and occiput and back bright grayish brown, 
the feathers edged or narrowly tipped with tawny; rump and_upper tail-coverts 
cinnamon-rufous or tawny; tail like back, crossed subterminally by broad black 
band, and tipped with lighter brown, ochraceous, and white, the lateral feathers 
irregularly dusky, white and tawny; primaries dusky, the outer with some white 
on the inner webs, and the inner ones with white on the outer webs; two black 
bands across chest, the anterior one nearly reaching around cervix; a band on 
forehead, separating the white and brown, and another across cheek from bill, 
inpure black; included spaces of head and neck, a ring around cervix, and re- 
