42 
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. 
VJINELLUS HELVETICUS. 
[Plate LVIL— Fig. 4.] 
Fanellus Helveticus, Briss. 5,/. 107, pL 10, fg. 1 ; F, griseus, Id. p. 100, pi. 9, fig. 1 ; F. 
varius, Id. p. 103, pi. 9, fig. 2.—Tringa Helvetica, Ind. Om. p. 728, No. 10 ; T. squatarok, 
Id.p. 729, 11.— Xc- Fanneauvarie, Plan. Enl. 923; Le Fanneau gris. Id. 854; LeFan- 
neau swsse. Id. 853.— Gra^ Sandpiper, Arct. Zool No. 393 ; Swiss Sandpiper, Id. No. 396. 
British Zool. No. 191. — Edwards, vol. 3, pi. 140. — Fanelliis nielanogast€r,^EQ.iiST:'Ei'ti, 
vol. 4, p. 356.— Lath. Syn. 3. p. 167. No. 10 ; p. 168, No. 11 ; p. 169, var. A. ; Id. Sup. 
p. 248. — Tem. Man.d^Orn. 549. — Peale’s Museum, No. 4196. 
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 coun- 
tries 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 brood in the same season. It is an extremely shy 
and watchful bird, tho 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 dew- 
berries, 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 return- 
ing from their breeding places in the north. At this season they 
abound on the plains of Long Island. I'hey have a loud whistling 
note ; often fly at a great height ; aiul are called by many gunners 
