PIPING PLOVER 



277. sEyialitis meloda. 7 in. 



Very pale above; no black in front of eye; black patch 

 on each side of breast. Young similar, but the black 

 replaced by grayish, as is the case with the last spe- 

 cies. This species, apparently, never could be classed 

 as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather 

 rare along our Atlantic coast; this is probably more 

 due to the building of summer resorts and homes along 

 their former breeding grounds than to hunters. They 

 are rather more shy than the last species, but will usu- 

 ally attempt to escape by running along the beach or 

 by hiding, rather than by flight. Owing to their light 

 colors it is very difficult to see them at any distance. 



Notes. A two-syllabled piping whistle. 



Nest. On the ground; eggs buff with fine black- 

 specks. 



Range. Breeds on the coast from Va. to Newfound- 

 land and in the Mississippi Valley. 



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