88 FEATHERED GAME 



of feathers. Legs flesh color, feet considerably 

 webbed between the middle and outer toes. 

 Length from seven to seven and one-half in- 

 ches; extent of wings about fifteen inches. 



THE PALE RINGNECK, OR PIPING 

 PLOVER. 



(^gialitis meloda.) 



Though much less common in the east than 

 the last, this species is fairly abundant all 

 alongshore, associating with the semipalmated 

 plover and in mode of life differing in no wise 

 from him. The '^ whistle" differs from that 

 of the last species. As the name indicates he 

 is lighter in coloring, of less decided tones, 

 and may be picked out at once in a flock of 

 the more common species of ringnecks among 

 which he appears to be snow white. The bird 

 is pale brownish ash above; below, like all the 

 family, pure white, as is also the forehead, 

 side of the head, throat, and a collar from the 

 throat encircling the neck. Below this collar 

 is a black band of less and variable extent, 

 sometimes completely encircling the neck but 

 oftener the circle is broken in front. The tail 



