| BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Charadrius squatarola) |
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
(Charadrius squatarola)
The largest of the family Charadridæ is the black-bellied plover. In its plumage, both summer and winter, it closely resembles the golden plover, as the black on the sides of the head, front of neck, breast and abdomen disappear from both species in their winter plumage. But, notwithstanding this, they can easily be distinguished by the small rudimentary hind toe of the black-bellied species, the other having but three toes. A few specimens of the golden plover have been taken on the Coast, but it is of rare occurrence. The black-bellied plover is reasonably common along the coast line, but it is not seen to any great extent in the interior valleys.
Color—Upper plumage, dull brown, mottled with gray, the top of the head being somewhat darker; under parts, nearly white and the sides and breast streaked with brown. In the summer the throat and belly are black.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is usually made on the uplands, where four eggs are deposited of a pale olive, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 11 inches; wing, 7 1/2, and bill, 1 1/4 inches.
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THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER