GRALLATORES. 369 



[136.] 3. Charadrius pluvialis. (Linn.) The Golden Plover. 



Genus, Charadrius, Linn. 



Spotted Plover {Pluvialis viridis ventre nigro). Edwards, pi. 140. 



Alwargrim Plover (Charadrius apricarius). Pens. Arct. ZooL, ii., p. 483, No. 398. 



Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis). Idem, No. 399. Wils., vii., p. 71, pi. 59, f. 5. 



Pluvier dore' (Ch. pluvialis). Temm., ii., p. 535. 



Charadrius pluvialis (Golden Plover). Sab. (Capt.) Suppl. Parrifs First Voy., p. cxcix. 



Sab. (J.) Frankl.Journ., p. 683. Bonap. Syn., No. 220. 

 Toodleearioo, Esquimaux. Hawk's Eyes, Hudson's Bay Residents. 



The breeding-quarters of this well-known bird are the Barren Grounds and 

 the coasts and islands of the Arctic Sea. It hatches early in June, and retires 

 southwards in August. Numbers linger on the muddy shores of Hudson's Bay, 

 and on the sandy beaches of rivers and lakes in the interior, until the hard 

 frosts of September and October drive them away. At this period they are 

 very fat, and are highly prized by the epicures of the fur-countries. They make 

 but a short stay in Pennsylvania, and are said to winter beyond the United States. 



DESCRIPTION 

 Of a male, killed in the breeding season, May 29, 1822, lat. 65°. 



Colour. — A pure white sincipital band, prolonged over the eyes and down the neck to the 

 breast. Ground of the upper plumage greenish-black, regularly spotted on the tips and 

 margins with lemon-yellow. On the wing coverts the spots are whitish. Greater coverts and 

 primaries unspotted ; tips of the former and middles of the shafts of the latter whitish. Tail 

 barred with darker and lighter shades of clove-brown ; the tips of all the tail feathers, and 

 also the lighter bars of the outer ones, being nearly white. Region of the bill, lores, and 

 whole under plumage, reddish-black, spotted with yellow on the sides of the breast under the 

 wing. Under tail coverts partially white. Insides of the wings and long axillaries yellowish- 

 grey. Bill and legs black. 



Form, typical. Tongue pointed, entire. 



In winter the under plumage is white, tinged with yellowish-grey like the wing linings, 

 palest on the under tail coverts ; neck and breast yellowish-grey and greyish-white in 

 alternate spots or bars; region of the bill, forehead, eye stripe, and chin, white, with brown 

 spots. — At the commencement and termination of the breeding season many individuals 

 are seen with the under plumage varied with black and white*. 



Dimensions 

 Of the male. 



Inch. Lin. ■ Inch. Lin. Inch. Lin. 



Length, total . . 10 6 Length of bill above . . 10 Length of middle toe .0 11£ 



„ of tail . .33 „ of bill to rictus .11 „ of its nail 2| 



„ of wing . .75 „ of tarsus . .1 8 Extent of wing . . 22 



* According to Temminck, this is the dress of the immature birds. 



3 B 



