152 
Field Marks. In spring, the Black-bellied Plover, with extensive black underparts, 
may be confused only with the Golden. Its whiter head and back make the best distinctions 
when the bird is still. On the wing, the black axillars stand out plainly against the grey 
ground of the underwing, and the white rump is conspicuous. In juveniles and autumn 
birds, the striped instead of faintly barred breast, black axillars, and white rump are the 
best field marks. The notes are quite distinctive, but must be heard before the difference 
can be appreciated. 
Distribution. Nearly cosmopolitan. In America, breeding along the Arctic coast 
west of Hudson bay. Migrates throughout all southern Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Black-bellied Plover has been separated from the 
European bird lately under the name of Squatarola squatarola cynosurae. 
This is one of the finest Plovers and one of the few Shore Birds on which 
there is an open season. 
272. Golden Plover (Including American and Pacific Golden Plover). Pluvialis 
dominicus. L, 10-50. In general coloration and appearance almost exactly like the 
Black-bellied Plover (See Plate XX B), but slightly smaller. In early autumn, adults with 
blotched plumage, changing from summer to winter pattern, may be the same as that species. 
Figure 178 
Specific details of American Golden Plover; scale, §. 
a, dark rump; b, dark crown; 
c, no hind toe; d, grey axillars. 
Distinctions. Likely to be confused only with the Black-bellied Plover whose plumage 
sequence it follows closely, with the following differences. In spring, decidedly more black 
than white above and the light speckles strongly golden yellow. Crown almost solid black 
instead of nearly pure white. Below, the black includes the undertail coverts. The adults 
in winter are very similar to the juvenile which is generally guite yellow on back, the colour 
suffusing over face and breast. The markings above are considerably finer and sharper than 
on the Black-bellied, and those on breast and flanks tend towards faintly suggested bars 
instead of stripes. In any plumage, the Golden Plover is to be known from the Black-bellied 
by its rump, unicoloured with the back, dark tail, grey instead of black axillars, and the 
absence of even a rudimentary hind toe (Figure 178, compare with 177;. 
Field Marks. In spring the Golden Plover with extensive black underparts can be 
mistaken only for the Black-bellied. Its dark crown and back make the best distinctions 
when the bird is still. When it is on the wing the axillars, evenly grey with the under sur- 
face of the wing, and absence of white rump, are quite conspicuous. 
In the juvenile, the faint indications of barring on breast, and the underwing and 
rump marks are the best field marks. The notes are also quite different, but must be 
heard before the difference can be appreciated. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeds along most of the Arctic coast and 
migrates more or less commonly throughout southern Canada. It is supposed that the 
spring migration is mostly through the interior of the continent and the autumn one is off 
the coast well out to sea. In the east, a continuous flight from Nova Scotia to Brazil is 
