KIL'DEER, or KILLMEE. The most widely known of American plovers (zEgialitis rocife rus). It is nine or ten inches long, and ahout twenty inches in extent of wing. It is grayish brow n above, with an olive shade, and occasion ally a bronzy lustre, orange-brown or chestnut on the rump, and white beneath ; there are black markings on head and breast, and the tail is variegated with black, white, and rufus. The best is made on the ground, in grass or shingle, usually near water. The eggs, usually four. vary in color, from ereamy-white to drab, marked with blaekisn-brown. and are 1.5 inches long. (See Colored Plate of EGGS Or WATER AND GAME Brans.) The kildeer is found throughout North America from Newfoundland and Manitoba south ward, and even into Northern South America, in winter. In the northern part of its range it is migratory. but from Virginia southward it is
resident. It is not numerous in New England. but becomes more common in the Central States. and is very abundant in the West. The name is based upon the very characteristic notes, which are generally uttered either while the bird is on the wing or when it is running about in its ner vous, restless way. It i, incessantly in motion, and, though often seen about farmyards, it seems to distrust man, and his presence generally causes much vociferous objection. They are seldom found singly except during incubation, and are gener ally seen in small flocks of six or seven individ uals. In the fall these usually are family groups. Although the kildeer when fat is edible. it is not usually ranked as 'game,' and is not much hunted. See liovtat. and Plate of PLovEns.