26 B1HD8 OP ILLINOIS. 



The single North American -spepies of this subgenus differs con- 

 spicuously from the Plovers usually included together under 

 ^EgkiJit'ni in the broad, lengthened tail, and_, so far as coloration 

 is concerned, in the ochraceous rump and the pair of black 

 bands across the breast. It may be remarked, however, that 

 coloration alone is of slight importance as a character in this 

 group. 



The Old World species appear to belong here rather than with 

 true ^EijhilitJx, namely, Chimdrlnn trlmlhirh Vieill., of South 

 Africa, and C. nigrifoiw Cuvier, of Australia. The former is 

 much like a miniature Killdeer Plover, having two black pec- 

 toral bauds, like 0. mciferm (though their relative width is 

 reversed, the posterior one being broader) ; the proportions and 

 details of form are quite the same, but the rump and upper 

 tail-coverts 9,re coucolor with the back. The xVustralian species 

 agrees essentially with the above in size and proportions, but 

 has broader and acuminate rectrices, and the tail is more nearly 

 even, while the plumage is handsomer and more varied than in 

 any other species of the group, the scapular region being adorned 

 with a patch of rich maroon-chestnut, the upper tail-coverts 

 rufous-chestnut, etc. 



^gialitis vocifera (Linn.) 



KILLDEER. 



Popular synonyms. Kill-doe; Killdeer Plover. 



Oharadrius vociferus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758. 1.50; ed. 12. i, 1766, 253.— WrLS. Am. Orn. 

 vii, 1813, 73, pi. 59, fig. 6.— NuTT. Man. ii, 1834, 22.— AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 1'.U; v, 1839, 

 677, pi. 225; Synop. 1839, 222; B. Am. v. 1812, 207, pi. 317. 

 .■EgiahUs i-o iferus Bonap, 1838.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. l«>%, (592, — Baibd, 

 Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 504.-Coues, Key,1872,2H; Check List. 1871. No. 397; 2d ed. 

 1882, No. 584. 

 .Hgialitis uocifera A. O. U. Chock List, 18Sii, No. 273. RiDOw. Mun. X. Am. B. 1887, 174. 



Uxuechus vociferus Reich.— Kidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 51(;.— B. B. & R. Water 

 B. N. Am. i, 1884. 148. 



Hab. The whole of temperate North America, migrating in winter into tropical Amer- 

 icaas far as Colombia; West Indies iu general; Bermudas: Hivor Avon. England (Side ScL., 

 Ibis, 1862. 275; one specimen taken April, 18.57). 



Sp. Chak. Adult, piloum and upper parts generally, grayish brown, inclining to 

 umber; rump and upper tail-covcrtE ochraceous-rufous, lighter on the latter. Forehead 

 and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuehal co!lar,and lower pai-ts. while. Fore part of the 

 crown, loral stripe, continued toward occiput, collar round neck, and band across breast, 

 black. Primaries dusky, tlie inner quills marked on outer webs with white. Tail chiefly 

 pale ochraceous-rufous. variegated with white, dusky, and grayish, chiefly toward the end. 

 Bill black: iris dark brown; eyidids (in life) orange-rt'd or scarlet; legs and feet pale pinkish 

 grayish, or pale grayish yellow. 



