PLOVERS 103 
chiefly in the northern hemisphere, breeding far north; south in winter in 
America to Brazil. 
Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with old grass. Eggs: 4, light 
buffy olive, spotted with dark brown or black. 
“I have found this species quite common upon both coasts but 
rare inland, where it seldom stops except to rest on its migratory- 
flights to and from its breeding-grounds. ... In habits it is similar 
to the golden plover.” (Goss.) 
GENUS CHARADRIUS. 
272. Charadrius dominicus Mull. Golden Plover. 
Hind toe wanting, bill small and slender. Adults in summer: upper 
parts black or dusky, spotted with bright yellow and white; face, throat, 
and belly black, bordered with a line of white ; tail dusky, barred with 
gray or yellow. Adults in winter : under parts mottled dusky gray; back 
less golden than in summer. Young: like winter adults, but with upper 
parts more golden, and yellow wash over neck and breast. Length: 9.50- 
10.80, wing 6.80-7.40, bill .80-1.00, tarsus 1.55-1.82. 
Distribution. — North and South America, breeding in arctic regions, 
and migrating to Patagonia. 
Nest. — A slight depression in the moss or dry grass. Eggs: 4, pale 
grayish or olive buff to buffy brown, spotted with dark brown or black. 
In the United States the golden plover is a common migrant east 
of the Rocky Mountains, but less frequently seen toward the Pacific 
coast. 
For an interesting account of its breeding habits see Nelson’s 
Birds of Alaska. 
GENUS A3GIALITIS. 
General Characters. — Hind toe wanting ; bill much shorter than head ; 
<?olors plain, with or without black bands. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
1. Chest without trace of black bars. montana, p. 105. 
1'. Chest with complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky in adults. 
2. Chest with two black bars. vocifera, p. 103. 
2'. Chest with one complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky. 
3. Chest with complete bar. 
4. Bill not over .55. 
5. Front toes connected by web at base . semipalmata, p. 104. 
5*. Middle and inner toe not connected by web at base. 
circumcincta, p. 104. 
4'. Bill about .80.. . . wilsonia, p. 105. 
3'. Chest with only a black spot on each side . . . nivosa, p. 105. 
Subgenus Oxyechus. 
273. -33gialitis vocifera {Linn.). Killdeer. 
Adults. — Chest crossed by two black bands, the upper encircling the 
