OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. I35 



In its migrations it prefers the sea coast on either side, to the 

 interior, but a few are also observed inland. 



At Hamilton it visits the Beach in spring and fall in limited 

 numbers. I once got two out of three very handsome individ- 

 uals which I saw there on the third of June. In the list of 

 Birds of Western Ontario, it is mentioned as a " common Mi- 

 grant" at St. Clair Flats. 



Subgenus CHARADRIUS Linn/EUS. 



113. CHARADRIUS DOMINICUS Mull. 272. 



American Golden Plover. 



Plumage speckled above, and in the breeding season black below, as in 

 the last species, but much of the speckling bright yellow, and the 

 rump and upper tail-coverts like the back ; forehead, and a broad line over 

 the eye to the nape white ; tail feathers grayish-brown, with imperfect white 

 or ashy bars ; axillars, gray or ashy. At other times, the under parts nearly 

 as in the last species. Length, lo-ii ; wing, 7 or less ; tail, under 3 ; bill, i 

 or less. 



Hab. Arctic America, migrating southward throughout North and South 

 America to Patagonia. 



Nest composed of dry grass in a natural hollow in the ground. 



Eggs 4, similar to those of the preceding species but not quite so large. 



Aged gunners tell us that Golden Plovers used to follow 

 the line of the Detroit River in immense flocks, passing quickly 

 to the north in the spring, and lingering along the shores and in 

 the pasture fields on their return in the fall. 



According to the list of Birds of Western Ontario, they are 

 still regular visitors there, but only in small numbers. Near Ham- 

 ilton they have never been common. Small flocks of immature 

 birds are seen passing south in the fall occasionally, but not 

 regularly. 



The Golden Plover in full breeding plumage is a very hand- 

 some bird, but like the Snow Bird and some others which breed 

 in high latitude, they do not assume the nuptial dress till 

 they reach their northern home, and by the time they get back 

 within the bounds of civilization they have donned the sober 

 garb of winter. 



