NOliTH AMEIiWAN BlUDS. 157 



277a. BELTED PIPING PLOVEB. JEgialitis meloda circumcincta Rldgw. 

 Geog. Dist. — Missouri River region; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast. 



This variety of the Piping Plover is found between the Missouri River and th« 

 Rocky Mountains and as far eastward as Lake Koskonong, in southern Wisconsir. 

 and occasionally along the Atlantic coast. Its habits are the same as those of meloda. 

 The eggs measure 1.27x.93. 



278. SNOWY PLOVER, ^gialitis nivosa Cass. Geog. Dist.— Western Nortk 

 America, south to Mexico in winter, both coasts of Central America and in Western 

 South America to Chili. 



The Snowy Ring Plover inhabits the United States chiefly west of the Rocky 

 Mountains. It is a constant resident along the California coast, and a specimen has 

 been taken on the coast of Texas in the latter part of June. Mr. Emerson, of Hay- 

 vards, California, informs me that it nests along the sandy beaches of the ocean 

 coast, and says he has no doubt that it breeds along the bay beach, as he shot the 

 young there in June. Mr. Shields states that it is abundant along the sandy beaches 

 in the vicinity of Los Angeles, nesting in the first week of April; fresh eggs often 

 being found as late as May 15. Mr. N. S. Goss found the Snowy Plover breeding on 

 the salt plains along the Cimarrion River, in the Indian Territory, the northern 

 limits of which extend into southwestern Comanche County, Kansas; he also took 

 two specimens within the State limits. The birds are described as being very much 

 lighter in color than the California specimens.* The eggs are three in number, in 

 ground color, pale buff or clay color, and the markings very much resemble Wilson's 

 Plover, but are more numerous and scratchy; about the size of the eggs of the Piping 

 Plover, meloda, 1.20x.90. 



[279.] MONGOLIAN PLOVER, ^gialitis mongola (Pall.) Geog. Dist.— 

 Northern Asia, south in winter to Malay Archipeliago and Australia, Choris Penin- 

 sula, Alaska, accidental. 



A bird of wide distribution. Found throughout Northern Asia in general, west 

 to St. Petersburg, Palestine and Northeastern Africa. In winter it is found through- 

 out Southern Asia and as far south as the Philippines, Malay Archipeliago, etc., to 

 Australia. Breeds commonly in Northern portions of Asia, nesting on the ground 

 like others of its tribe. The eggs are four in number; pale dull olive or buff sparsely 

 marked with brownish-black; size, 1.43x1.05. 



280. WILSON'S PLOVER, ^gialitiv wilsonia (Ord.) Geog. Dist.— Atlantic 

 <ind Gulf coasts of North America, north to Long Island. Casually to No\a Scotia. 

 South in winter to Brazil and Peru and West Indies. 



Wilson's Plover, named in honor of the immortal Wilson, is common along the 

 sea coast of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. It is found along the Eastern coast, 

 but rarely north beyond New Jersey. One of the "beach birds," and may be found 

 in company with others of the genus /Effialitis. On some of the islands on the coast 

 of Georgia Mr. Perry found them breeding in great numbers in company with the 

 Least Tern, nesting very much in the same manner. The eggs are deposited in a 

 cavity of the loose pebbles or shells of the beach; they are usually three in number. 

 The ground color is a pale olive-drab or clay-colored, some having a greenish tint, 

 marked all over with blackish-brown, well defined spots, small splashes and fine 



