400 



' CHARADRIUS DOMINICUS (Ridgw). 



THE AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. 



Specific Charades — Bill rather shoit, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe,, 

 tarsus covered before and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales, upper 

 parts brownish-black, with numerous small circular and irregular spots of golden- 

 yellow, most numerous on the back and rump and on the upper tale coverts assum- 

 ing the forms of transverse bands generally ; also with some spots of ashy white. 

 Entire under parts black with a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail coverta 

 mixed or barred with white. Forehead, border of the black of the neck, under 

 tail coverts, and tibiae white ; axilliary feathers cinereous; quills dark brown i 

 middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to the webs and 

 forming longitudinal stripes on the shorter quills ; tail dark brown with num- 

 erous irregular bands of ashy white and frequently tinged with golden-yell dw ;. 

 bill black ; legs dark bluish brown. The winter plumage of both young and 

 adult is different. Under parts dull ashy, spotted with brownish on the neck 

 and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black ; many spots of the upper 

 parts dull ashy white ; other spots especially on the rump golden yellow. 



Total length about 9.50 inches ; wing, 7.50 ; tail, 2.50 ; culmen, .92 ; tarsus, l.TO* 

 middle toe, .90. 



Habitat. — America in general from the Arctic coast to Paraguay and Chili i 

 breeding in the Arctic and sub- Arctic regions migrating in autumn to southern 

 localities. The Golden Plover passes north through Ontario in April moving in 

 large scattered flocks travelling principally by night at a great elevation, seldom 

 alighting, hence their spring migration is not so often noticed, but during the 

 autumn migration they pass leisurely southward, often staying weeks in a loca- 

 lity suited to their tastes as regards food, etc. They are very fond of high, dry, 

 old commons or pastures or fall wheat tields, where they find their favourite food, 

 crickets and grasshoppers, etc. They always at this season keep together in 

 flocks and are very wary and hard to get near. Sportsmen usually hunt them 

 in parties, stationed at different points about their haunts, they are caused to fly 

 from one gunner to another who chooses his time to rake the flock, and often 

 large numbers are taken in this way. This bird at this time is generally in such 

 good condition as to split the whole length of the breast on falling to the ground, 

 lb is considered a good table bird, in the cities bringing almost as high prices aa 

 the Woodcock. Formerly Golden Plover were very plentiful, occurring in immense 

 flocks, but of late years owing to their incessant slaughter, their numbers are 

 sadly diminished. They reach Ontario early in September, and often stay until 

 the first week in October, They breed in the far north, ne^t on the ground, egga 

 four in number. 



