174 



PLOVERS. 



Washington, P. E., most abundant in migrations. Long Island, not com- 

 mon T. V., recorded in every month but Jan. Sing Sing, rare T. V. in fall ; 

 Sept, 28 to Oct. 25. Cambridge, A. V., two instances, Sept. 



Eggs, three to four, butty white, spotted and scrawled with chocolate, 

 chiefly at the larger end, 1'50 x 1-10. 



In localities where this bird is common it is difficult to get beyond 

 the reach of its notes. Lakesides, meadows, pastures, and cultivated 

 fields all attract it, but it is more numerous in the vicinity of water. 

 It is a noisy, restless bird, running rapidly when on the ground, and 

 when on the wing flying swiftly and sometimes pursuing a most 

 irregular course. As a rule it is found in flocks, which scatter when 

 feeding but unite when taking wing. At the first sign of danger it 

 utters its half-plaintive, half-petulant kill-dee, kill-dee, and when thor- 

 oughly alarmed its outcry increases until, beside itself with fear, it 

 reaches the limit of its vocal powers. Although by no means shy, the 

 Killdeer never seems to gain confidence in man, and at his approach 

 always gives voice to its fear. Even at night I have heard it cry out 

 at some real or fancied danger. 



274. JEgialitis semipalmata/ > nap. SEMIPAJ.MATED PLOVER ; RING- 

 NECK. (See Fig. 25, d, 26, e.) Ad. in summer. Feathers at the base of the 



upper mandible, front of the 

 crown, sides of the head be- 

 low the eye, and a band 

 on the breast, which gener- 

 ally encircles the neck all 

 around, black ; rest of under 

 parts and a ring around the 

 neck white; back of head 

 and back brownish gray ; 

 inner tail-feathers brownish 

 gray, outer ones becoming 

 gradually white ; toes webbed 

 at the base. Winter plum- 

 age. Similar, but the black 

 replaced by brownish gray. 

 L., G-75 ; W, 4-80 ; Tar., -90 ; 

 .50. 



Range. Breeds from Lab- 



rador to the shores of the Arctic Sea; winters from the Gulf States to Brazil. 

 Washington, casual, three specimens, May; Aug. Long Island, common 

 T. V., May ; Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall ; Aug. 23 to 

 Sept. 20. Cambridge, rare in spring; sometimes common in Aug. and 

 Sept. 



Egg*, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, spotted with chocolate, 

 1-30 x -90. 



FIG. 65. Semipalmated Plover. (Natural size.) 



