SPECIES 6. CHARADRIUS APRICARIUS.* 



BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. 



[Plate L VII. Fig. 4.] 



Alwagrim Plover, Arct. Zool. p. 483, JVo. 598. Ze PLuvier dort 

 a gorge noire, BUFF, vm, 85. PEALE'S Museum, No. 4196. 



THIS bird is known in some parts of the country by the name 

 of the large Whistling Field Plover. It generally makes its 

 first appearance in Pennsylvania late in April; frequents the 

 countries towards the mountains; seems particularly attached to 

 newly ploughed fields, where it forms its nest of a few slight 

 materials, as slightly put together. The female lays four eggs, 

 large for the size of the bird, of a light olive colour, dashed 

 with black; and has frequently two broods in the same season. 

 It is an extremely shy and watchful bird, though clamorous 

 during breeding time. The young are .without the black colour 

 on the breast and belly until the second year, and the colours 

 of the plumage above are likewise imperfect till then. They 

 feed on worms, grubs, winged insects, and various kinds of ber- 

 ries, particularly those usually called dew-berries, and are at 

 such times considered exquisite eating. About the beginning 

 of September, they descend with their young to the seacoast, 



*tharadriu* Helveticus, BONAPARTE, Journal Acad. Nat. Sc. v, p. 103. Jinn. 

 Lye. ii p. 298 Vanellus Helvdicus,Bni88. v,p. 107, pi. \O.Jig. l. Summer dress. 

 ORD'S reprint, vii, p. 42. Vanellusgriseus,Id.p. 100, pi. 9, fig. 1, winter dress. 

 Vanelhis varius, Id. p 103, pi. 9, fig. 2, young. Tringa Helvetica, LATH. Ind. 

 Orn. p. 728, No. 10, summer dress of the adult. T. squatarola, Id. p. 729, No. 

 11, winter plumage. Le Vanneau varie, BUFF. PI- Enl. 923, winter dress. 

 Le Vanneau gris, Id. 854, young. Le Vanneau suisse, Id. 853, summer dress of 

 adult. Gray Sandpiper, Jlrct. Zool. No. 393. Swiss Sandpiper, Id. No. 396, 

 British 'Zool. No. 191. EDWARDS m, pi. 140. Vandlus melanozaster, BXCII- 

 STEIX, iv, p. 356. LATH. Syn. in, p. 167, No. 10; p. 168, No. 11; p. 169, 

 A. Id. Supp. p. 248. TEMM. Man. el' Orn. 549. 



