of the hamilton association. i37 



Subgenus ^GIALITIS Boie. 

 115. ^GIALITIS SEMIPALMATA Bonap. 274. 

 Semipalmated Plover. 



Above dark ashy-brown with an olivaceous shade ; below white ; very 

 broad coronal and pectoral black bars in the adult in spring, in fall and in 

 the young the coronal bar hardly evident, the pectoral grayish-brown ; edges 

 of eyelids bright orange ; bill moderately short and stout, orange or yellow, 

 black tipped ; legs yellowish ; toes conspicuously semipalmate. Length, 

 abo.it 7 inches ; wing, 4I ; tail, about 2^ rounded. 



Hab. Arctic and Subarctic America, migrating south throughout 

 tropical America, as far as Brazil and Peru. 



Nest a depression in the ground lined with dry grass. 



Eggs 4 ; clay-color, marked with blackish-brown. 



A solid, plump, little bird of very pleasing plumage, particu- 

 larly in spring when the colors are clear and decided. In com- 

 pany v/ith other Beach birds, it is found along the shores of the 

 lakes in Ontario from the middle till the end of May. In the 

 fall it is again seen in increased numbers in similar places, till 

 about the end of September, when they disappear for the 

 season. Dr. Coues found the Ring Necks breeding abundantly 

 in Labrador, and mostly remaining there till the beginning of 

 September. The distance between their summer and winter 

 home is very great, but their flight is rapid, and as they seem 

 to know the way, the journey is quickly made. 



116. ^GIALITIS MELODA (Ord). 277. 



Piping plover. 



Above, very pale ashy-brown ; the black bands narrow, often imperfect ; 

 bill colored as in the last, bur shorter and stumpy ; edges of eyelids colored ; 

 no evident web between inner and middle toes, and only a slight one between 

 middle and outer. Length, about 7 inches ; wing, 4 J ; tail 2. 



Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding from the coast of 

 New Jersey (at least formerly) northward ; in winter, West Indies. 



Eggs 4 ; deposited among the shingle of the beach ; clay-color, marked 

 with spots of brownish-black, not exceeding a pin's head in size. 



