THE PIPING PLOVER. 
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bulbiform, with very numerous small cylindrical glands disposed in a broad 
belt. The stomach is roundish or broadly elliptical, moderately compressed; 
its lateral muscles large, as are the tendons; the lower muscle prominent and 
thin; the upper of considerable size; the epithelium dense, and longitudinally 
rugous. The intestine is rather long, and of moderate width ; the rectum 
considerably dilated ; the coeca long, very slender, cylindrical, contracted at 
the base, with the tip blunt. The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the 
right being largest ; there is no gall-bladder. The trachea is rather wide, 
flattened ; its rings very numerous, narrow, cartilaginous, the lower ring 
large ; two dimidiate rings. Bronchi rather wide, of from 15 to 20 half 
rings. Lateral muscles moderate, sending a slip to the last dimidiate ring. 
THE PIPING PLOVER. 
Charadrius MELODUS, Ord. 
- PLATE COCXXI. — Male and Female. 
During the spring and summer months, this pretty little Plover is found 
on the sandy beaches of our extensive coasts, from the southern point of the 
Floridas to the confines of Maine. As you proceed towards Labrador, you 
find it in every suitable place, as far as the Magdeleine Islands, on the sands 
of which I saw many that were paired and had eggs on the 11th of June, 
1838. It breeds on all parts of the eastern coast of the United States, 
wherever the locality is adapted to its habits. On the 3rd of May, this bird 
was found with eggs on the Keys of the Floridas ; about a month later, you 
may meet with it in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. 
Those which leave the south at the approach of spring, return to it about 
October ; and during the whole winter you may find them on the sandy 
beaches, from South Carolina to the western coast of the Floridas. The 
species, therefore, may be considered as resident with us. 
While migrating eastward, the Piping Plovers proceed in pairs ; and 
should one of these on its way find a convenient place for breeding, and 
remain there, several others are often induced to take up their abode in the 
neighbourhood. In autumn, they go in flocks of twenty or thirty individuals. 
