103 



Distinctions. With the above desM-iption the Plover are not likely to be confused 

 with anything else. 



Nesting. On ground in a slight depression usually lined with scanty grass, moss, 

 other waste vegetation, or pebbles. 



Distribution. In closely related or nearly identical forms the family is circumpolar 

 in distribution, breeding mostly north of present settlement. 



The Plover are well known to the sportsman. They average larger 

 in size than the Snipes and some of them which feed in upland fields offer 

 considerable sport. 



Economic Status. As a family they frequent cultivated land more than 

 other Shore Birds and hence are of somewhat greater economic interest. 

 They are actively helpful to man. 



270. Black-bellied Plover, bull-head. pb. — le pluvteb k ventre noib, van- 

 NEAtJ GKis. Squatarola sqitatarola. L, 11. Spring plumage — back, almost black with 

 many broad white feather-tips aggregated on wings; crown and hiadneck, almost white; 

 cheeks, throat, foreparts and breast to abdomen, pure black, often showing white feathers 

 remaining from immaturity. Autumn plumage — back, weak brown with cream or yellow- 

 ish feather ends to top of head; throat, foreneck, and underparts dull whitish with indis- 

 tinct breast-band of veiled stripes. All intermediate plumages are taken within our bound- 

 aries. 



Distinctions. Plover-like characters; will be mistaken only for the Golden Plover 

 which it closely resembles. The presence of a small though well-formed hind toe is peculiar 

 to this bird as it is our only Plover with a fourth toe. 



Field Marks. Requiring separation only from the Golden Plover. Rather incon- 

 spicuous white band on the spread wing, axillars black, in strong contrast to back^ound 

 of underwing surface when flying, and white rump to be seen under favoiirable conditions. 



Distribution. A circumpolar species breeding in America along the Arctic coast 

 northwest of Hudson bay. More or less common in migration in suitable habitats through- 

 out eastern Canada. 



272. American Golden Plover, fk. — pldvibk dor£ d'am:6kiqub. Charadrius 

 dominicus. L, 10-50. Spring plumage — back almost black to top of head, with numerous 

 yellow feather-tips, more scanty on crown; forehead and Une over eye, descending to 

 sides of breast, white; throat, foreneck, and all underparts sohd black. Autumn plumage 

 — above, dull brown with many cream to yellow feather-edge spots, aggregating on 

 rump and crown; throat and face, white or whitish slightly spotted; breast and all below, 

 faintly barred with dull white and light tints of the brown of the back. All intermediate 

 plumages may be seen. 



Distinctions. A slightly smaller bird than the foregoing but easily confused with it. 

 The large amount of yellow on the back of spring plumage and the faint barrings of the 

 breast and underparts in the autumn are characteristic. The absence of any trace of 

 hind toe is diagnostic in any plumage. 



Field Marks. Only needing separation from the previous species. Extended wing 

 vrithout any indication of white band; axillars smoke-grey instead of conspicuous black; 

 rump not white. 



Distribution. Breeds in the barren grounds from Hudson bay westward. It is said 

 to have extraordinary migration routes. In the autumn it moves eastward to Labrador, 

 then southward across the gulf of St. Lawrence to Nova Scotia, where it takes an over-sea 

 route to Brazil without touching intermediate land imless storm-driven. From thence 

 it works down to the Argentine pampas. In the spring it strikes western South America 

 about Equador, crosses the isthmus of Panama and the gulf of Mexico, and follows up the 

 Mississippi valley to its breeding grounds. That it takes this immense flight over the 

 broad Atlantic without resting seems too remarkable to be true, but as it is not a pro- 

 ficient swimmer able to rest on the water at will, the evidence points towards this conclu- 

 sion. 



SUBSPECIES. The American Golden Plover is divided into two subspecies; only 

 the Eastern Golden Plover, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



Once far more common than now. Within the memory of living 

 sportsmen large flocks were regularly seen; now only occasional birds are 

 met with. It is very closely related to the Golden Plover of Europe. 



