SEMIPALMATED PLOVER 87 
and it is mainly the small boy, the natural en- 
emy of all living creatures, who decimates their 
ranks. 
The two common species are often found in 
one flock, but with us and in most localities the 
most numerous race is the Semipalmated, 
marked as follows: bill short and stout, black 
with orange-yellow base; forehead prominent, 
rising sharply from the bill as in others of the 
tribe; above, a dark brownish gray, matching 
well ‘‘the ribbed sea sand,’’ their home. It 
is astonishing how well this protective color- 
ing hides them when by accident they are still 
for a moment. Below pure white. Throat 
white, the lower part of this patch passing com- 
pletely around the neck in a narrow ring. 
Below this a wide black collar entirely 
around the neck. A patch of black at the 
base of the bill, running back below the eye 
and bordering the white forehead, which is 
again sharply defined by the black of the crown. 
A ring of bright orange about-the eye. Prima- 
ries blackish. Tail same color as the back, 
but growing darker toward the ends of the 
feathers; tips white, as are also the outer pairs 
