The Semipalmated Plover 



portion of their shafts white. Bill black, orange-red at base; a bright orange ring 

 around eye; feet and legs yellowish. Adult in winter: The black markings replaced 

 by dark grayish brown. Young: Similar to adult in winter, but feathers of upper- 

 parts tipped with light buffy. Length 165.1-190.5 (6.50-7.50); wing 124.5 (4.90); 

 tail 53.3 (2.10); bill 13.2 (.52); tarsus 24.6 (.97). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size, but appearing larger; a miniature Killdeer, 

 but without tawny rump, and with only one black band across breast. Feet partially 

 webbed. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nest: On the ground. Eggs: 3 or 

 4; something like those of Killdeer, but smaller and not so heavily marked. Av. size 

 33 x 23.4 (1.30 x .92). 



General Range. — North and South America, breeding northerly from Melville 

 Island to southern Mackenzie, Labrador, the islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and 

 the Queen Charlotte Islands; wintering south from South Carolina, Louisiana, and 

 southern Lower California, through the West Indies to Argentina and Chile and upon 

 the Galapagos Islands. 



Occurrence in California. — Common spring and fall migrant coastwise; 

 casual about the larger bodies of water in the interior (Salton Sea, Apr. 27 and 28, 

 1917). Spring migrations: Apr. 27 to May 7 (Santa Barbara). Fall: July 28 

 to Oct. 15 (*&.). 



Authorities. — Cassin (Aegialitis semipalmahis) , in Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. 

 Surv., vol. ix., 1858, p. 694 (Presidio; Petaluma); Coues, Birds of the Northwest, 

 1874, p. 453 (syn., life history); Howell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, p. 49 

 (s. Calif, ids.). 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



A GENTLEMAN FROM PERU 



PORTRAIT OF SEMIPALMATED PLOVER 



Photo by the A ulhor 

 13 1 1 



