(AEgialitis nivosa)
The snowy plover is quite common from northern California to Mexico.
It is a small bird and, while it is hunted but little, its flesh is
quite delicate. In its winter plumage it is much lighter in color
than any of the others named.
=Color=--Top of head, back of neck and back, buffish gray; forehead
and under parts, white; a patch of dull brown just above the white of
the forehead, and another of the same color on each side of the
throat. Three toes without web.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are found throughout its range; they are
nothing more than a depression in the sand and contain four grayish
buff eggs, spotted with black.
=Measurements=--Total length, about 6-3/4 inches; wing, 4-1/4, and bill
5/8 of an inch.