BIRDS OF KANSAS. 207 



and the eggs closely resemble the grass in colors. This species 

 was very numerous in the barrens. The female, soon after 

 leaving her nest, usually ascends into the air in a straight line. 

 The young birds leave the nest as soon as hatched, and when 

 approached hide themselves in the grass, and can be found only 

 with great difficulty. Some were already hatched by July 12th. 

 ' ' The eggs of this species exhibit very great variations in size, 

 colors and distribution of markings. In No. 9431 (S. I.) the 

 ground is a pale greenish ash, with large oblique blotches of 

 different shades of sepia, the lighter inclining to a purplish slaty 

 tint. In No. 14099 (S. I.) the ground is of a deep muddy or 

 clay colored drab. The markings are chiefly toward the larger 

 end, where they are confluent on the apex, are of an umber tint 

 varying in the depth of the shade. In No. 9432 (S. I.) the 

 ground is a deep olivaceous drab, and the markings, of a very 

 dark sepia color, are in the form of irregular small blotches, 

 more numerous toward the larger end. In No. 11401 the 

 ground is a light ash green color, and the markings are smaller, 

 more numerous, more longitudinal, and of a much lighter shade 

 of sepia. These eggs are of an oblong oval shape, slightly 

 pyriform, one end more rounded than the other, and have an 

 average length of about 2.10 inches, and a breadth at the larg- 

 est portion of 1.90 inches." 



FAMILY CHARADRIID-ffi. PLOVERS. 



"Small or medium sized shore birds (scarcely waders), with rather short, 

 somewhat Pigeon-like bill, large round head, short neck, long and pointed 

 wiugs, and moderately lengthened legs, the hind toe usually absent. 



" The above superficial characters are sufficient to define the family of Plovers 

 as distinguished from the allied groups." 



GENUS CHARADEIUS LINSLETJS. 



"Size small or medium; head without crest; plumage much speckled or spot- 

 ted above and without metallic gloss; lower parts chiefly black hi summer." 



SUBGENUS SQUATAROLA CUVIEB. 







" A rudimentary hind toe; legs reticulated with elongated hexagons anteri- 

 orly, of which there are five or six in a transverse row; fewer behind; first 

 primary longest; tail slightly rounded. " 



