168 



AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER 



272. (Jharadrius dowinicus. 10.5 in. 



No hind toe.* Back and tail mottled with black and 

 yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the tail. 

 oung arid winter adults, more or less spotted with 

 yellow and blackish-brown above, and grayish-white be- 

 low, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often con- 

 fused with the last species in this plumage, but is 

 smaller, bill smaller and more slender, and the axillars, 

 or feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are gray 

 while those oi the Black-bellied Plover are black. This 

 species is now regarded as rare on the North Atlantic 

 coast during migrations, while in the interior it is more 

 abundant than the last species. They do not seem to be 

 as suspicious as the Black-bellies, and a flock will often 

 allow a close approach, even when they see you. 



Nest. Nesting habits like those of the last, and other 

 shore birds; eggs slightly smaller (1.90x1.30). 



Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south 

 to South America. 



