476 The JVater-fowl Family 



two central, tipped with white ; entire under parts, white ; bill, 



black ; legs and feet, olive-gray ; iris, brown. 

 Adult female — Similar, but rufous paler, and less sharply marked; 



and black markings on head less distinct. 

 Winter plumage — The cinnamon and bright brown are replaced 



by gray ; the black markings of the head in the spring plumage 



are replaced by grayish brown. 

 Young — Similar to winter plumage, but a buffy suffusion to plumage, 



and feathers of upper parts bordered with buff. 

 Measurements — Length, 6.75 inches; wing, 5.50 inches; culmen, 



.75 inch; tarsus, 1.25 inches; middle toe, .75 inch; tail, 2.50 



inches. 

 Habitat — Breeds in northeastern Siberia and the Commander 



Islands. Winters from the Philippine Islands to Australia, 



passing through China and Japan in migration. Two were 



taken on the Choris Peninsula, Alaska, in 1849. 



Dr. Stejneger found this species breeding 

 abundantly on Bering Island, where it arrives 

 early in May. In its habits it much resembles 

 some of our own small plover, running rapidly 

 along the beach if pursued, and running also 

 from its nest before it is possible to mark the 

 exact location of the latter. A nest taken early 

 in June contained three eggs, and was situated 

 near the shore on a small island. Dry pieces of 

 leaves, stems, and the seeds of a plant growing 

 near formed the nest, which was placed in a slight 

 hollow in the ground. One note of this bird is 

 a clear, sharp whistle. The bird is common on 

 the Commander Islands and has straggled to 

 Alaska. 



