Charadrius squatarola. 
i 
The Moult of the North American Shore Birds (Limicolae) 
by- 
Jonathan Dwight, jr. 
Black-bellied Plover ( Charadrius squatarola ). 
See under Charadrius dominions , Syst. Notes, 
i 
The Spring and Fall Plumage of Our 
Shore Birds. 
BY F. II. CARPENTER. 
In glancing over the numerous lists of bird 
skins in collections, I have often remarked the 
error into which many ornithologists have 
fallen in dividing the conditions of plumage of 
birds, especially those of order Limicolce. That 
such a distinction of plumage should receive 
due attention and classification is without dis- 
pute, but when the division is based upon the 
change in seasons, rather than age of the bird, 
some exceptions should be cited. Taking, for 
instance, the Black-bellied Plover ( Charadrius 
sq uataro la ) . a well known species, which has 
come under my observation frequently. I have 
shot as full plumaged birds of this species in 
September as in May. In their large flocks on 
Monomoy I have seen many black individuals 
among the juvenile gray specimens. Also with 
the Sanderling ( Calidris arenaria ), the same 
remarks will apply, save for the fact that the 
adults are noted in separate flocks, and earlier 
in the season than the young. 
My own observations are corroborated by 
Mr. John C. Cahoon, who probably has had 
more recent experience than any other person 
with our New England shore birds. In fact 
Mr. Cahoon first drew my attention to this 
question, and I should have hesitated before I 
publicly expressed my assertions had not such 
evidence presented by that gentleman's notes 
as to settle any debatable point beyond dispute. 
I regret that I have not at hand a complete list 
of such species as retain their spring plumage 
during the autumn, but in absence of such 
data I find it difficult to exclude any variety, 
as I have notes collected from various authentic 
sources bearing upon every New England spe- 
cies of shore birds, but in some cases the infor- 
mation is so meagre, as to doubt whether it is 
a governing rule to retain the breeding plum- 
age, or rather individual exceptions. 
I have shot in the fall both Woodcock and 
Grouse that appeared to be much brighter in 
plumage and “better" birds than those seen in 
spring, and can find no sportsman of any field 
experience who does not relate the same obser- 
vation. 
That the difference in plumage should be at- 
tributed to age and not season seems to be a 
correct view, and other evidence either pro or 
con should be offered upon this subject, to 
which the foregoing statements are but a pro- 
l°g U0 -O,& O. XII. Aug. 1887 p.//i-/J $ 
