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CHARADRIUS DOMINICUS (Rivew). 
THE AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. 
Specific Character.—Bill rather short, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe, 
tarsus covered before and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales, upper _ 
parts brownish-black, with numerous small circular and irregular spots of golden- 
yellow, most numerous on the back and rump and on the upper tale coverts assum- 
ing the forms of transverse bands generally ; also with some spots of ashy white. 
Entire under parts black with a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail coverts 
mixed or barred with white. Forehead, border of the black of the neck, under 
tail coverts, and tibize white ; axilliary feathers cinereous; quills dark brown ; 
middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to the webs and 
forming longitudinal stripes on the shorter quills ; tail dark brown with num- 
erous irregular bands of ashy white and frequently tinged with golden-yellow ; 
bill black ; legs dark bluish brown. The winter plumage of both young and 
adult is different. Under parts dull ashy, spotted with brownish on the neck 
and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black ; many spots of the upper 
parts dull ashy white ; other spots especially on the rump golden yellow. 
Total length about 9.50 inches ; wing, 7.50 ; tail, 2.50; culmen, .92 ; tarsus, 1.70 
middle toe, .90. 
Habitat.—America in general from the Arctic coast to Paraguay and Chili ; 
breeding in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions migrating in autumn to southern 
localities. The Golden Plover passes north through Ontario in April moving in 
large scattered flocks travelling principally by night at a great elevation, seldom 
alighting, hence their spring migration is not so often noticed, but during the 
autumn migration they pass leisurely southward, often staying weeks in a loca-~ 
lity suited to their tastes as regards food, ete. They are very fond of high, dry, 
old commons or pastures or fall wheat tields, where they find their favourite food, 
crickets and grasshoppers, etc. They always at this season keep together in © 
flocks and are very wary and hard to get neavr. Sportsmen usually hunt them 
in parties, stationed at different points about their haunts, they are caused to fly 
from one gunner to another who chooses his time to rake the flock, and often 
large numbers are taken in this way. This bird at this time is generally in such | 
good condition as to split the whole length of the breast on falling to the ground. 
It is considered a good table bird, in the cities bringing almost as high prices as . 
the Woodcock. Formerly Golden Plover were very plentiful, occurring in immense 
flocks, but of late years owing to their incessant slaughter, their numbers are 
sadly diminished, They reach Ontario early in September, and often stay until 
the first week in October, They breed inthe far north, nest on the ground, eggs 
four in number. 
