BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES 77 



species is nearly cosmopolitan, being found iu Asia, 

 Africa, Australia, the West Indies, North America, 

 Central Ameiica, and South America on migrations ; in 

 the breeding season it is found in Russia, Siberia, Alaska, 

 Franklin Bay, and the Barren Lands. In each locality 

 it has a different common name. 



273. KILLDEER. — Mg^alitis vocifera. 

 Family : The Plovers. 



Length: 10.50. 



Adults: Forehead, throat, collar, and under parts white ; front of the 



crown, lores, ring around the neck, band on the breast, black ; back 



olive-brown ; rump and sides of the tail dark buffy. 

 Downy Young : Upper parts olive-brown ; under parts white ; collar 



and bands across the chest, and across lores black, like adults. 

 Geogra/phwal Distribution : North America ; south in winter from latitude 



30° to South America. 

 Breeding Range : Breeds locally wherever found. In California breeds 



throughout the State, but in large numbers at Lake Tahoe. 

 Breeding Season: May and June. 

 Nest : A slight depression in the earth ; unlined. 

 Eggs: 3 or 4 ; bufl'y, marked with dark brown and blackish. Size 



1.50 X 1.10. 



Wherever seen, this pretty plover announces its 

 name in plaintive cries of "kildee, kild'ee." Often in 

 the night, as if troubled by bad dreams, it sounds this 

 anxious cry. It is abundant everywhere, and is known 

 to every country boy. Its nest is on the bare ground in 

 the edge of an upland meadow ; but the eggs are so 

 protectively colored that you might pass it without 

 notice, did not the old bird by her great anxiety pro- 

 claim the hiding place. An hour later you may find 

 every shell broken and the little ones gone, for they run 

 about in the grass as soon as free. No other bird will 



