636 THE KILLDEER. 
maining underparts pure white; the brown of back encroaching on sides of breast 
between black bars, and sometimes suffusing entire space between them; eye-lids 
bright orange-red; bill black; legs pale. Young: With rather more ochraceous 
or pale rusty edging on back than adult. Length 9.00-11.25 (228.6-285.8) ; wing 
6.34 (161); tail 3.59 (91.2); bill 81 (20.6); tarsus 1.41 (35.8). 
Recognition Marks.—Robin size; black and white bands of head and breast; 
tawny rump; vociferous “Killdeer” cries. 
Nesting.— Nest: on the ground, often upon gravel, unlined. Eggs: 4, ovate- 
pyriform, buffy white or clay-color, boldly spotted and blotched or scrawled with 
chocolate-brown or brownish black. Av. size, 1.48 x 1.06 (37.6x 26.9). Season: 
April 20-June 1; one brood, 
General Range.—T'emperate North America, breeding north to British 
Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland, migrating to West Indies, Central 
America, and northern South America. 
Range in Washington.—Common summer resident and migrant on East- 
side; less common summer resident and tardy spring migrant west of Cascades; 
casually resident east and west; Yakima, Dec. 7, 1899; Tacoma, Jan. 10, 1891 
(several flocks); Jan. 10, 1907 (flock of 15). 
Migrations.— Spring: Very irregular—March (East-side), March-April 
( West-side) ; Chelan, March 20, 1896; Seattle, March 18, 1889; Tacoma, April 
I1, 1906. 
Authorities.—4 egialitis vociferus (Linn.) Cassin, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. 
Surv. 1858, p. 692. T. C&S. L?7. Rh. D'. Sr. D+. J. B. E. 
Specimens.—U. of W. Prov. P. B. E. 
ALTHO the shrill ery of the Killdeer shouting his name is a welcome 
sound when it cuts across the frosty sky in early spring, one can scarcely 
forgive him the immoderate clamor of midsummer, nor the officious way 
in which this self-appointed guide heralds the approach of the huntsman 
to every living thing. If you are actually near the nest there is some excuse 
for alarm, and the female does not fail to try every ruse in the endeavor to 
lure you away from the dangerous spot. First she rolls and flounders 
away across the ground, screaming with agony, as tho she had been stepped 
on. But if you are simple enough to follow, the bird gradually recovers, 
and is soon able to patter along ahead of you with tolerable celerity. The 
male, too, is no indifferent spectator. He comes as near as he dares, and 
shrieks, “Dear, dear, dear, dear, dear,” until the wonder is that he does not 
burst a blood vessel or split his vocal cords. Interested neighbors add their 
frenzy to the din, until in desperation you are almost ready to believe yourself 
the frightful villain they are all accusing you of being. If you are willing 
to quit the place a bevy of fathers will pilot you out of bounds. One will 
patter ahead of you with breast pushed forward and legs incredibly nimble, 
only to pull up presently with a jerk and a compensatory bob to ask if you 
are following. The others describe a great half-circle about you with graceful 
