PLOVERS 
179 
Distinctions. With above description quite distinctive and unlike any other species 
it is likely to be confused with. 
Distribution. Europe, east to China. Known in America only by a few, casual, 
wandering specimens until the winter of 1927 and 1928, when a large number appeared 
on our east coast only to perish in inclement weather. It is interesting to note that one 
of these wandering or storm-blown birds bore a band that had been placed upon its leg 
in Cumberland, England, and this definitely locates the point of origin of at least part 
of the flight. 
Subfamily — Charadriinae. Plover 
General Description. The plover are rather more stoutly and compactly built than 
the snipe-like birds. Their bills are shorter, soft at the base, but ending in a hard, horny 
tip (Figure 253). Hind toe lacking in all species except 
black-bellied in which it is very small and almost rudi- 
mentary (Figure 262). 
Distinctions. With the above description the plover 
are not likely to be confused with other families. 
Nesting. On the ground in a slight depression, usually 
lined with scanty grass, moss, waste vegetation, or pebbles. 
Distribution. The family, in closely related or nearly 
identical forms, is circumpolar in distribution, breeding 
mostly north of present settlement. 
Figure 253 
Bill of Plover; enlarged. 
The plover are well known to the sportsman. They average larger in 
size than the snipe and some of them that feed in upland fields offer con- 
siderable sport. 
Economic Status. As a family they frequent cultivated land more 
than other shore birds and hence are of somewhat greater economic 
interest. They are actively helpful to man. 
Figure 254 
Feet of American and European Ringed 
Plover; natural size. 
275. Greater Ringed Plover, le grand pluvier a collier. Charadrius 
hiaticula. L, 6-75. Like the Semipalmatecl Plover, but See distinctions. 
Distinctions. So like the Semipalmated Plover that it can be separated from it only 
by close examination of the foot webbing. In this species there is no web between the 
inner toes, whereas the Semipalmated carries small webs deep in the angle (Figure 254). 
Distribution. The Old World and Greenland. In Canada reported only from the 
eastern Arctics — eastern Baffin Island northward. 
277. Piping Plover, le pluvier siffleur. Charadrius melodus. L, 7-10. Very 
much like the Semipalmated Plover in pattern and size, but much lighter and with no 
black bar through face. Legs and base of bill orange-yellow. Tip of bill black (Figure 
255, compare with 257). 
Distinctions. Ordinarily mistaken only for the Semipalmated Plover, but much less 
common and less generally distributed. Above — even, light, ashy grey, the colour of 
dry, instead of wet, sand. Adult; no black bar through face and the juvenile with 
faintly greyish cheeks instead of brown. The breast-band may be broken in the middle 
or, in juvenility, very poorly defined. 
