BRITISH BIRDS 



shell-strewn pebbly beach. In ground-colour they are yellowish-buff, of a deeper 

 tint than the Ringed Plover's, irregularly marked with scratches and spots of 

 blackish-brown. During the breeding season the birds are very tame and fearless, 

 and may easily be approached. They seek their food along the margin of the tide, 

 running hither and thither on the wet surface to secure the tiny shell-fish and other 

 marine animals stranded by the waves. 



The female differs somewhat from the male in colour, having the dark markings 

 less distinct and browner, and the buff tint on the head duller. 



THE KILLDEER PLOVER. 



sEgialitis vocifera (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 63. 



This rare species, a wanderer from America, has been recorded half-a-dozen 

 times in the British Islands, viz. in Hampshire, April 1859; Aberdeenshire, 1867; 

 Tresco, Isles of Scilly, January 15, 1885; and three on Romney Marsh, Kent, 

 April 1908. 



According to the B.O.U. List of British Birds (2nd ed. 1 9 1 5), "The Killdeer 

 Plover breeds in North America, from central British Columbia and central Quebec 

 southwards to central Mexico. It winters from California, New Jersey, and the 

 Bermudas, southwards to Venezuela and Peru, and has occurred in Chile and 

 Paraguay." 



Inhabiting the coast in winter, and at other times usually found on inland 

 swamps or pastures, the Killdeer Plover makes no nest beyond a mere hollow in 

 the ground, lined with a few dry bents, in which it lays its four eggs, in colour 

 yellowish-buff, with spots and blotches of black. 



This bird is noisy and restless, running with great rapidity and possessing great 

 power of flight, whilst it owes its name of " Killdeer" to its loud clear call. 



The food consists of insects, worms, and small crustaceans. Larger than our 

 Ringed Plover, it is easily distinguished by its long rufous tail, double band of 

 black across the chest, and longer legs. 



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