72 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



with brown; rump and upper tail feathers rufous; below, white 

 with a black ring around neck and a partial black ring on the 

 breast. It may be recognized by its loud notes uttered while 

 flying, and resembling, "Killdeer! Killdeer!" 



It nests commonly over the State, usually laying four eggs 

 in a slight depression on rather bare pastures or gravelly places. 

 It winters in the southern part of the United States. 



274. Semipalmated Plover (Aegialitis semipalmata.) 



This Plover is much smaller than the Killdeer, being only 

 about six and one half inches long. The nape and back are gray- 

 ish brown; under parts white; one white and one black ring 

 around the neck. Breeds in the northern part of North America ; 

 only a migrant in our State. 



277. Piping Plover (Aegialitis meloda.) 



Slightly larger than No. 274 but the bill is very short. 

 Above, ashy gray with the crown and sides of breast black; 

 under parts white. 



In 1891 this Plover nested abundantly on the sandy shore 

 of Lake Herman, Lake County, but at present it is rarely found 

 nesting in the State. 



281. Mountain Plover (Podasocys montanus.) 



The Mountain Plover probably nests in the western part 

 of .South Dakota, as small flocks have been seen during August 

 feeding in prairie dog towns. About nine inches in length ; 

 above, gray and rufous with a black crown band; below, white 

 with an occasional gray tinge on the breast. 



FAMILY APHRIZID^. TURNSTONE 

 283a. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres morinella.) 



Upper parts reddish brown, black and white; throat and 

 belly white; breast black, with a black band extending up the 

 sides of neck. In young specimens the upper parts and the 

 breast are grayish brown and buff. The body is about nine 

 inches long.- 



Nests in the Arctic regions ; in South Dakota only during 

 migration. 



