1 68 CHARADRIID.E : PLOVERS. 



the general pattern of coloration is similar, the shade is 

 not quite the same. The ground color is rather a pale, 

 brownish-clay color, than a drab, in most specimens, 

 although some shade quite closely into the drab of hel- 

 vetica. Some specimens have the ground-color ex- 

 tremely pale, grayish-white, nearly dead white. On all 

 the eggs the markings are exceedingly bold, dark and 

 numerous ; it is impossible to describe adequately the 

 endless variations in precise pattern. The average egg 

 is heavily marked about the butt with blackish-brown, 

 in large, irregular spots and blotches ; while similar 

 smaller spots are sparsely distributed over the rest of 

 the surface. Sometimes markings are much lighter 

 brown, a rich, dark sienna, and they are sometimes dis- 

 tributed over the whole surface with approximate unifor- 

 mity, but the decided tendency is to aggregate around 

 the butt in semi-confluent masses, or a wreath. The 

 nest is a mere depression in the ground, lined with a 

 few dried grasses or leaves. 



KILDEER PLOVER. 



VOCIFERUS (L.) Bp. 



Chars. Plumage not speckled ; below, white ; head and neck with 

 black bands in the breeding season. Tarsus about half as long 

 again as the middle toe. Rump and upper tail-coverts tawny or 

 orange-brown, most of the tail-feathers white at base and tip, 

 suffused with orange-brown in a part of their length, and with 

 i to 3 black bars ; secondaries mostly white, and primaries with a 

 white space ; forehead white ; a black bar across the crown, and 

 two broad black bands on the neck and breast ; bill, black ; 

 feet, pale grayish-blue. Length 9.00-10.00 ; extent, 20.00 ; wing, 

 6.00 or more ; tail, 3.50, much rounded ; tarsus, about 1.50. 



