THE BIRD BOOK 
275. Ring Plover. Mgialitis liiaticula. 
Range— A European bird that breeds abund- 
antly in Greenland. It nests in great numbers on 
the banks of streams 
and in fields, laying 
its eggs in hollows on 
the ground, generally 
without any lining. 
Their three or four 
eggs are practically 
not distinguishable 
from those of the Semi- 
palmated Plover, but Buffy. 
larger; size, 1.40 x 1.00. The bird, too, is similar, 
but the toes are not palmated, and the black 
breast band is wider. 
[276.] Little Ringed Plover. 
Mgialitis dubia. 
An Old World species, accidentally occurring 
on the Pacific coast. Like the last species, but 
smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20 
x .85. 
277. Piping Plover. Mgialitis meloda. 
Range. — Eastern North America, chiefly along 
the Atlantic coast, breeding from the Carolinas 
north to Newfoundland. 
A handsome little bird, with a black crescent 
on each side of neck, a small black patch on top 
of the head, and without any black on the lores 
or ear coverts. It is the lightest colored of any 
of the eastern Plovers. Length, 7 inches. Young, 
similar, but the black replaced by grayish, as is 
the case with the last species. This species, apparently, never could be classed 
as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather rare along our Atlantic 
coast; this is probably more due to the building of 
summer resorts and homes along their former breeding 
grounds than to hunters. They are rather more shy 
than the last species, but will usually attempt to es- 
cape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather 
than by flight. Owing to their light colors it is very 
difficult to see them at any distance. They lay their 
eggs upon the sandy beaches in slight, and generally 
unlined, hollows. The eggs have a pale clay colored 
ground and are sparsely specked with small black 
dots. Size 1.25 x 1.00. 
Clay Color. 
Ring Plover. 
Snowy Plover. 
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