Species VI. CHARADRIUS APRICARIUS* 
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. 
[Plate LVII. Fig. 4.] 
Alwagrim Plover, Arct. Zool. p. 483, No. 398. — Le Pluvier dore~ d gorge noire, Buff. 
viii., 85. 
This bird is known in some parts of the country by the name of the 
large Whistling Field Plover. It generally makes its first appearance 
in Pennsylvania late in April ; frequents the countries towards the 
mountains ; seems particularly attached to newly ploughed fields, where 
it forms its nest, of a few slight materials, as slightly put together. 
The female lays four eggs, large for the size of the bird, of a light olive 
color, dashed with black ; and has frequently two broods in the same 
season. It is an extremely shy and watchful bird, though clamorous 
during breeding time. The young are without the black color on the 
breast and belly until the second year, and the colors of the plumage 
above are likewise imperfect till then. They feed on worms, grubs, 
winged insects, and various kinds of berries, particularly those usually 
called dewberries, and are at such times considered exquisite eating. 
About the beginning of September, they descend with their young to 
the seacoast, and associate with the numerous multitudes then returning 
from their breeding places in the north. At this season they abound 
on the plains of Long Island. They have a loud whistling note ; often 
fly at a great height ; and are called by many gunners along the coast, 
the Black-bellied Kildeer. The young of the first year have considera- 
ble resemblance to those of the Golden Plover ; but may be easily dis- 
tinguished from this last by the largeness of their head and bill, and in 
* Charadrius Helveticus, Bovaparte, Journal Acad. Nat. Sc. v., p. 103. Ann. 
Lye. ii., p. 298. — Vanellus Helveticus, Briss. v., p. 107, pi. 10, fig. 1. summer dress. 
Ord's reprint, vn., p. 42. — Vanellus griseus, Id. p. 100, pi. 9, fig. 1, winter dress. — 
Vanillas varius, Id. p. 103, pi. 9, fig. 2, young. — Tringa Helvetica, Lath. Lid. Orn. 
p. 728, No. 10, summer dress of the adult. — T. squatarola, Id. p. 729, No. 11, winter 
plumage. — Le Vanneau varic, Buff. PI. Enl. 923, winter dress. — Le Vanneau gris, 
Id. 854, young. — Le Vanneau Suisse, Id. 853, summer dress of adult. — Gray Sand- 
piper, Arct. Zool. No. 393. — Swiss Sandpiper, Id. No. 396. — British Zool. No. 191. 
— Edw ards, in , pi. 140. — Vanellus melanozaster, Bechsteix, iv., p. 356. — Lath. 
Syn. in., p. 167, No. 10; p. 168, No. 11 ; p. 169, Var. A.— Id. Supp. p. 248.— Temm. 
Man. d' Orn. 549. 
(364) 
