“THE KILLDEER oe 485 
uniform black. In September 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.” 
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-ice, tu-lee-lee-wit, wit wit, wee-u-wit, che lee 
2 too lee-e.” 
No. 220. 
/ KILLDEER. 
Te O. U. No. 273. Oxyechus vociferus (Ljinn.). 
Synonyms.—KILDEER; KinpER Plover; KinpEr. 
Description.—ddult: 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, 
impure black; included spaces of head and neck, a ring around cervix, and re- 
maining under parts 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 “Kildeer” cries. 
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 (37.6 x 26.9). 
