144 BIRDS 



tions the golden plover frequenth' inhabits the prairies and 

 uplands, but the present species is usually met with along 

 the edges of streams and lakes, as it seems partial to feed- 

 ing in muddy places. Here their plumage serves as a great 

 protection, their lightly mottled backs blending perfectly 

 with the rippling water beyond as they feed on beaches. 



In spring these birds jjass northward leisurely, often 

 remaining in the United States until the first of May; in 

 migrating they fly in lines or in ranks like geese. Their 

 summer homes are in the Arctic regions, being most com- 

 mon upon the mossy barrens about Hudson Bay and 

 Alaska. As the birds run swiftly over this gray vegetation 

 they are hardly noticeable to the untrained eye, so remark- 

 ably do their backs blend with the sparse vegetation. 



The four eggs are laid in a little hollow, usually on an 

 elevated spot in wet territory. The eggs are large for the 

 size of the bird, but the young come into the world so heav- 

 ily clad with down that within two weeks they are able to 

 shift for themselves. 



AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER* 



Grolden Yellow Rump is one of the names often applied 

 to this most beautiful member of the plover family, which 

 is thus made conspicuous and easily recognizable. It is 

 found everywhere in the United States, from the Atlantic 

 to the Rocky IMountains, but is rare on the Pacific coast 

 south of Alaska. They are seldom found far inland, their 

 natural home being on the seacoast, occasionally frequent- 

 ing marshy or wet grounds, though as a rule they prefer 



