88 FEATHERED GAME 
of feathers. Legs flesh color, feet considerably 
webbed between the middle and outer toes. 
Length from seven to seven and one-half in- 
ches; extent of wings about fifteen inches. 
THE PALE RINGNECK, OR PIPING 
PLOVER. 
(gialitis meloda.) 
Though much less common in the east than 
the last, this species is fairly abundant all 
alongshore, associating with the semipalmated 
plover and in mode of life differing in no wise 
from him. The ‘‘whistle’’ differs from that 
of the last species. As the name indicates he 
is lighter in coloring, of less decided tones, 
and may be picked out at once in a flock of 
the more common species of ringnecks among 
which he appears to be snow white. The bird 
is pale brownish ash above; below, like all the 
family, pure white, as is also the forehead, 
side of the head, throat, and a collar from the 
throat encircling the neck. Below this collar 
is a black band of less and variable extent, 
sometimes completely encircling the neck but 
oftener the circle is broken in front. The tail 
