62 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 217 



1952. Some nesting occurs earlier, for eggs were used for food when 

 a snowstorm on June 3, 1948, drove many birds from their nests. Fe- 

 males taken May 28, May 30, and June 1 contained eggs ready to be 

 laid. 



Nests were located on dry ridges near the river and over the valley 

 in dry spots as far as the slopes leading to the steep valley walls. 

 They were simply composed of fragments of lichen, a little grass, and 

 a few small leaves. With the five nests female birds were taken in 

 each case, but the males remained nearby. 



The first young were recorded June 25. On July 8, 1951, a young 

 bird taken at Amorgoayat in the Killik Valley weighed 77 grams. 

 Thereafter, the young birds were inconspicuous until about July 20, 

 when they began to reveal themselves as they ran over the tundra un- 

 der watchful supervision of the parents. On July 25, 1950, of four 

 young in one group, one escaped by flying and the largest of the three 

 taken could fly a little. On July 24, 1950, seven young flew so well 

 that they could not be run down and were takeii with shot. They 

 weighed from 121-135 grams, average 127 grams. Plover were nu- 

 merous and usually still in pairs until August 2, but none were seen 

 August 3-15, in the Killik Valley and none have been recorded later 

 than August 15, 1950, in Tuluak Valley. About three months of arctic 

 residence appears to satisfy them for their long flight from southeast- 

 ern South America. 



With their extensive range in the Valley, golden plover are ex- 

 tremely numerous and they probably outnumber the common Baird's 

 and semipalmated sandpipers and northern phalaropes, all of which 

 have a more restricted range than plover. Their numbers cannot com- 

 pare with those of redpolls, tree sparrows, or Alaska longspurs. These 

 observations will indicate the large size of the population of plover 

 in the Valley, which is representative of great areas which I have seen 

 on the arctic slope. 



Their large numbers and calm, unhurried attitudes demonstrate that 

 the satisfaction of their food requirements in the arctic environment 

 is easily accomplished. The ability to obtain basic sustenance with- 

 out strain suggests how these beautiful birds support their tremendous 

 migratory flight. The charm of their appearance matches the splen- 

 did vigor of these birds, which can travel so far yet have the time and 

 inclination to be lively but unexcited and alert but confiding, and 

 which always present to an observer the appearance of being satisfied 

 with and interested in their arctic environment. 



Squatarola squatarola (Linnaeus) 



4 males May 31- June 3 weight (6), 206-234, — - 



average 214 g. 

 1 female May 27, 1951 weight 192 g. 



