644 THE SNOWY PLOVER. 
Comparatively few birds of this species pass along the Pacific Coast dur- 
ing migrations. They breed commonly in Alaska, in the interior and northern 
portions, but are more likely to return south by the overland route, especially 
east of the Rockies. The migrant birds, either singly or in small companies, 
pause wherever daybreak arrests their flight, on mud-flats, gravel-bars, or 
sandy beaches. If upon the shore of lake or ocean, they associate freely with 
Sanderlings, and either pursue with them the retreating wave, or else retire 
a little way to glean among the pebbles of the higher levels. 
The northern season is very short, and I have seen adults southbound as 
early as July 15th, on Destruction Island. 
No. 256. 
SNOWY PLOVER. 
vA ©. U. No, 278. A€gialitis nivosa Cassin. 
Description.—Adults in summer: Somewhat similar to 72. semipalmata, but 
bill entirely black, and black markings of head much reduced; upperparts pale 
ashy gray, tinged, especially on crown, with buffy; wing-quills fuscous and black 
with some outcropping white on outer webs of inner primaries; greater coverts 
and primary coverts tipped with whitish; a short black bar across crown not ex- 
tending to eyes; a black post-ocular stripe curving downward behind auriculars ; 
a touch of black on lores anteriorly; a transverse patch of black on each side of 
breast (vestiges of the pectoral collar which marks other species); forehead 
broadly, sides of head, a cervical collar, and underparts, snowy white; bill and feet 
black. The black of the female is less pure and that of both sexes in winter is 
replaced by grayish brown. /mmature: Without black; the gray of upperparts 
darker, varied by whitish edges and tips; the black on sides of breast replaced by 
color of back. Length of adult: 6.25-7.25 (158.8-184.2); wing 4.25 (108); bill 
.60 (15.2) ; tarsus 1.00 (25.4). 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow size; bill black; no pectoral band ; extensive 
white on head. 
Nesting.—N est: a depression in sand or beach shingle. Eggs: 3 or 4, pale 
dull buffy, speckled and spotted with dark brown and black. Av. size, 1.21 x .87 
(30.8 x 22.1). Season: May-June; one brood. 
General Range.— United States chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains, breed- 
ing on Pacific Coast north to Washington (?). Great Salt Lake, Atlantic and 
Gulf Coast in Florida, etc.; wintering in California, Texas, Cuba, etc., south to 
Chili. 
Range in Washington.—West Coast, one record; possibly breeds. 
Authorities.—Bowles and Dawson, Auk, Vol. XX V. Oct. 1908, p. 484. 
Specimens. |}. 
