26 BIRDS OP ILLINOIS. 



The single North American species of this subgenus differs con- 

 spicuously from the Plovers usually included together under 

 ^Egialitis 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 JBgidlitis, namely, Cha/radri/us tricollaris VIEILL., of South 

 Africa, and C. nigmfons CUVIER, of Australia. The former is 

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

 toral bands, like 0. vociferus (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 are concolor with the back. The Australian 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. 



-ZEgialitis vocifera (Linn.) 



KILLDEER. 



Popular synonyms. Kill-dee; Killdeer Plover. 



Gharadrius vociferus LINN. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 150; ed. 12, i, 1766, 253. WILS. Am. Orn. 

 vii, 1813, 73, pi. 59, fig. 6. NUTT. Man. ii. 1834, 22. AUD. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 191; v. 1839, 

 577, pi. 225; Synop. 1839. 222; B. Am. v, 1842, 207. pi. 317. 



jEgiahtis vociferus BONAP. 1838. CABS, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 692. BATED, 

 Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 504. COUBS. Key, 1872. 244; Check List. 1874, No. 397; 2d ed. 

 1882, No. 584. 

 jEgialitis vocifera A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 273. EIDQW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 174. 



Oxyechus vociferus REICH. RIDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 516. B. B. &R. Water 

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



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

 ica as far as Colombia; West Indies in general; Bermudas: River Avon, England (fide SCL., 

 Ibis, 1862, 275; one specimen taken April, 1857). 



SP. CHAB. Adult. Pileum and upper parts generally, grayish brown, inclining to 

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

 and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuchal collar, and lower parts, white. Fore part of the 

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

 black. Primaries dusky, the 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; eyelids (in life) orange-red or scarlet; legs and feet pale pinkish 

 grayish, or pale grayish yellow. 



