BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES ' 77 
species is nearly cosmopolitan, being found in Asia, 
Africa, Australia, the West Indies, North America, 
Central America, and South America on migrations; in 
the breeding season it is found in Russia, Siberia, Alaska, 
Franklin Bay, and the Barren Lands. In each locality 
it has a different common name. 
273. KILLDEER. — A gialitis vocifera. 
Famity: The Plovers. 
Length: 10.50. 
Adults: Forehead, throat, collar, and under parts white ; front of the 
crown, lores, ring around the neck, band on the breast, black ; back 
olive-brown ; rump and sides of the tail dark buffy. 
Downy Young: Upper parts olive-brown ; under parts white; collar 
and bands across the chest, and across lores black, like adults. 
Geographical Distribution: North America ; south in winter from latitude 
30° to South America. 
Breeding Range: Breeds locally wherever found. In California breeds 
throughout the State, but in Jarge numbers at Lake Tahoe. 
Breeding Season: May and June. 
Nest: A slight depression in the earth ; unlined. 
£ggs: 3 or 4; butfy, marked with dark brown and blackish. Size 
1.50 K 1.10. 
WHEREVER seen, this pretty plover announces its 
name in plaintive cries of ‘“kildee, kildee.” Often in 
the night, as if troubled by bad dreams, it sounds this 
anxious cry. It is abundant everywhere, and is known 
to every country boy. Its nest is on the bare ground in 
the edge of an upland meadow; but the eggs are so 
protectively colored that you might pass it without 
notice, did not the old bird by her great anxiety pro- 
claim the hiding place. An hour later you may find 
every shell broken and the little ones gone, for they run 
about in the grass as soon as free. No other bird will 
