KILLDEER
273. Oxyechus vociferus. 10 in.
No hind toe. Rump and base of tail reddish-brown; breast crossed by two black bands. Like the [Spotted Sandpiper], this bird is locally and abundantly distributed throughout the United States and Southern Canada; it is, however, rare in New England, where it is sometimes found in the Fall. It frequents meadows, fields and ploughed ground, where it feeds upon insects, and around the edges of pools and streams where it gets small shellfish and larvæ. As usual, they will attempt to lead an intruder away from their nest by feigning lameness.
Notes.—A loud, noisy and incessant “killdee.”
Nest.—A slight hollow in the ground, usually in a clump of weeds; sometimes lined and sometimes not; the four eggs are greenish-buff, heavily blotched with black.
Range.—Breeds locally throughout United States, except New England, and southern Canada; winters in southern U. S.
