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Range (Breeds in the arctic regions) (II)

Breeds in the arctic regions and migrates southward, chiefly through the interior, to Patagonia.

Long Island, rare T. V., Sept.

Eggs, three to four, pale olive-greenish, olive, or olive-brownish, distinctly spotted, chiefly on the larger end, with deep or dark brown, 2.04 x 1.43 (Ridgw.).

This Curlew is far more common in the interior than on the Atlantic coast. It is more of a field bird than either of the two preceding species, and frequents the dry uplands to feed on seeds and insects. Mr. G. H. Mackay, in his biography of this species,* writes: "Most of their habits closely resemble those of the Golden Plover. In migration they fly in much the same manner, with extended and broadside and triangular lines and clusters similar to those of Ducks and Geese at such times. They usually fly low after landing, sweeping slowly over the ground, apparently looking it over, generally standing motionless for quite a while after alighting, which, owing to their general color approximating so closely to the withered grass, renders it difficult at times to perceive them. The only note I ever heard them make is a kind of squeak, very much like one of the cries of Wilson's Tern (Sterna hirundo), only finer in tone." ...

The WHIMBREL (267. Numenius phœopus), an Old-World species, is of accidental occurrence in Greenland.

FAMILY CHARADRIIDE.

PLOVERS.

The one hundred species contained in this family are, as a whole, of less boreal distribution than the Snipes, and during the nesting season are distributed throughout the world. Only eight species are found in North America. Their habits in a general way resemble those of the true Snipes, but their much shorter, stouter bills are not fitted for probing, and they obtain their food from the surface. Probably for this reason several species are as frequently found on the uplands as near the shores.

I. Toes three.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

A. Back spotted or streaked with black and white, rufous, or golden yellow. 272. Aм. GOLDEN PLOVER.

B. Back ashy, gray, brown, or brownish gray. a. Rump rufous b. Rump not rufous. 273. KILLDEER. * The Auk, vol. ix, 1892, pp. 16-21.

PLOVERS. 61. Bill over 50. 62. A black or brownish band on the breast. 280. WILSON'S PLOVER. 63. No band on the breast; back grayish brown, margined with rufous. 281. MOUNTAIN PLOVER. . Bill under 50. ca. A black line from the eye to the bill. ca. No line from the eye to the bill. 277. PIPING PLOVER.

II. Toes four. 274. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. 277. PIPING PLOVER. 277a. BELTED PIPING PLOVER. 270. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

The LAPWING (269. Vanellus vanellus) is an Old-World species of accidental occurrence in America. The only record for eastern North America south of Greenland is based on a specimen shot at Merrick, L. I., in December, 1883 (Dutcher, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 438). 270. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER;