[135.] 2. C h a r a d r iu s v o c if e r u s . (Linn.) Kildeer Plover.
Ge n u s , Charadrius, L in n .
Noisy Plover (Charadrius vociferus). P e n n . Arct. Zool., ii., p. 484, No. 400.
Kildeer Plover (Char, vociferus'). W il s ., vii., p. 73, pi. 59, f. 6.
Charadrius vociferus. Sab. Frankl. Joum., p. 683, B onap.' Syn., No. 219. Vig o r s,
$ Birds of Cuba, Zool. Joum., xii., p. 448.
This Plover arrives on the Saskatchewan plains about the 20th of April; and
at that season frequents the gardens and cultivated fields of the trading-posts
with the utmost familiarity, in search of food. It hovers over the head of any
one who disturbs it, reiterating a loud, shrill cry, which is supposed to resemble
the word kildeer. It is found within the United States the whole year, keeping
on the sea-coast during winter.
DESCRIPTION
Of a specimen, killed on the Saskatchewan, April 20, 1827-
Colour.—A band from the rictus, passing over the ears, the upper surface of the head,
nape, base of the neck above, fore part of the back, scapulars, lesser wing coverts, and
tertiaries, dark hair-brown, the ragged edges of the plumage showing vestiges of rust-coloured
borders; posterior part of the back and the tail coverts bright buff-orange. Quills and
greater coverts pitch-black, tipped with white; edge of the wing also white, and a band of
the same crosses the middle of the outer webs and inner borders of the quills, becoming much
broader on the posterior secondaries. Tail rust-coloured at the base, broadly barred with
black towards the end ; the two central pairs of feathers tipped with ferruginous, the lateral
ones with white. A sincipital band, prolonged laterally over the eyes, the chin, the throat,
and a nuchal ring, the upper part of the breast, and the under plumage, pure white. A
frontal band between the eyes, a neck collar, and a pectoral belt, black. Bill black. Legs
ochre-yellow.
F orm.—Bill smaller than that of the Golden Plover. Tail graduated, more than an inch
longer than the wings.
In winter the dorsal plumage is mostly edged with brownish-orange.
Dimensions.
Length, total .. . 11
Lin.
3 Length of bill above
Inch. Lin.
0 10 Length of naked thigh
Inch.
0
„ of tail . 4 3 „ of bill to rictus . 1 0 , „ of middle toe . 0
„ of wing . 6 4 ,, of tarsus . 1 6 „ of its nail . 0
[136.] 3. C h a r a d r iu s p l u v ia l is . (Linn.) The Golden Plover.
Ge n u s , Charadrius, L in n . Spotted Plover (Pluvialis viridis ventre nigro). E dwards, pi. 140.
Alwargrim Plover (Charadrius apricarius). P e n n . Arct. Zool., g | p. 483, No. 398,
Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis). Idem, No. 399. W il s ., vii., p. 7b ph 59, f. 5.
Pluvier doré (Ch. pluvialis).Charadrius pluvialis (Golden PTloevmerm).. , ii., p. 535. Sab. (Capt.) Suppl. Parry's First Voy„ p. cxcix.
Sab. (J.) Frankl. Joum., p. 683. Bonap. Syn., No. 220.
Toodleearioo, E sq u im a u x . Hawk’s Eyes, H udson’s B ay R e s id e n t s .
The breeding-quarters of this well-known bird are the Barren Grounds and
the coasts and°islands of the Arctic Sea. It hatches early in June, and retires
southwards in August. Numbers linger on the muddy shores of Hudson’s Bay,
and on the sandy beaches of rivers and lakes in the interior, until the hard
frosts of September and October drive them away. At this period they are
very fat, and are highly prized by the epicures of the fur-countries. They make
but a short stay in Pennsylvania, and are said to winter beyond the United States.
DESCRIPTION
Of a male, killed in the breeding season, May 29, 1822, lat. 65°.
C o l o u r .— A pure white sincipital band, prolonged over the eyes and down the neck to the
breast. Ground of the upper plumage greenish-black, regularly spotted on the tips and
margins with lemon-yellow. On the wing coverts the spots are whitish. Greater coverts and
primaries unspotted; tips of the former and middles of the shafts of the latter whitish. Tad
barred with darker and lighter shades of clove-brown; the tips of all the tail feathers, and
also the lighter bars of the outer ones; being nearly white. Region of the bill, lores, and
whole under plumage, reddish-black, spotted with yellow on the sides of the breast under the
wing. Under tail coverts partially white. Insides of the wings and long axillanes yellowish-
grey. Bill and legs black.
F orm, typical. Tongue pointed, entire. v .
In winter the under plumage is white, tinged with yellowish-grey like the wing linings,
"palest on the under tail coverts; neck and breast yellowish-grey and greyish-white in
alternate spots or bars; region of the bill, forehead, eye stripe, and chin, white, with brown
spots.—At the commencement and termination of the breeding season many individuals
are seen with the under plumage varied with black and white*.
Length, total
,, of tail
,, of wing
Dimensions
Of the male.
IB h Lin Inch. Lin. 6 Length of bffl above . . 0 10 Length of middle toe
3 3 ,, of bill to rictus . 1 1 ,, of its nail .
. 7 5 . „ of tarsus . - 1 8 Extent of wing.
Inch. Lin.
, 0 11^
0 2f
22 0
According to Temminck, this is the dress of the immature birds.