76 SHORE BIKD8 OF NORTH AMEllICA. 



/CQIALITIS MELODA CIRCUMCINCTA Rid'w. 

 Belted Piping Plover. 



It is similar to A. meloda, but differs in having an unbroken black band 

 from the sides joined in front of the neck forming a complete collar. This 

 form occurs on the coast during the migrations. It breeds commonly in the 

 interior from Northern Illinois north to Winnipeg, and migrates in winter to 

 the Gulf of Mexico. 



/EQIALITIS NIVOSA Cass. 

 Snowy Plover. 



Adult in summer: Upper plumage, light brownish 

 gray, or buft'y gray; forehead and superciliary region, 

 lores, and under parts, pure white ; a patch of black on 

 the front part of the crown, bordering the white fore- 

 head ; a small patch of black on the ear coverts, and a 

 black patch on each side of the chest; bill, entirely 

 black. 



The female is similar, but has the black marking 

 duller, faint grayish. 



Winter plumage, male : General resemblance to the 

 adult male in summer, but the. black marking replaced 

 by grayish brown, or buft' gray ; legs, black ; bill, entirely 

 black, which is a good diagnostic character. 



^KiniitiH nivosa. Length, 6.30 to 7.10; wing, 4.20 to 4.35; bill, .GO: 



tarsus, .88 to 1.05. 



The Snowy Plover is common on the Pacific coast, from Northern Califor- 

 nia to Central and South America. It also occurs, in winter, in man}' of the 

 Gulf States, and is not uncommon in northwestern Florida. 



The eggs are laid in a mere depression in the sand. They are usually four 

 in number, buff gray color, spotted with black. 



