ica, breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering south to Patagonia.

This handsome bird is about the same size as the Black-bellied Plover
(10.5 inches long). No hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and
yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the tail. Young and winter
adults, more or less spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and
grayish-white below, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often
confused with the last species in this plumage, but is smaller, bill
smaller and more slender, and the axillars, or feathers nearest the
body, under the wings, are gray while those of the Black-bellied Plover
are black. This species is now regarded as rare on the North Atlantic
coast during migrations, while in the interior it is more abundant than
the last species. They do not seem to be as suspicious as the
Black-bellies, and a flock will often allow a close approach, even when
they see you. They nest abundantly along the coast and islands of the
Arctic Ocean. The four eggs are very similar to those of the preceding,
but smaller. Size 1.90 x 1.30. Data.--Peel River, Arctic America, June
1, 1898. Nest of grasses and leaves on the ground in the moss.

272a. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER. _Charadrius dominicus fulvus._

Range.--An Asiatic species, breeding in northern Asia and on the islands
and coast of Asia. Very like the preceding, but more golden color on the
back and wings. Nesting and eggs the same.

[Illustration 165: Black-bellied Plover. Golden Plover.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 164

[Illustration 166: A. R. Spaid.
NEST AND EGGS OF KILLDEER.]

Page 165

273. Killdeer. _Oxyechus vociferus._

Range.--Temperate North America from the southern parts of Canada
southward. Next to the Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is the most common
of the shore birds in the United States. It is rarely seen in New
England, but is common south of there and in the interior of the country
to Canada.

They are very noisy birds, continually uttering their "kil-deer,
kil-deer" from which they take their name. They nest anywhere on the
ground, generally near water, placing their nests in fields, cornfields
or meadows. The eggs are drab or greenish buff and profusely spotted
with black. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data.--Refugio county, Texas, May 11,
1899. 4 eggs in a depression on the ground, lined with a few grasses.

274. SEMIPALMATED. _AEgialitis semipalmata._

Range.--North A