ORDER X.—CHARADRIIFORMES.
F. 34. Chionididae, Sheathbills, Kelp-Pigeons, 3 sp.—2(2)E. 1(1)Nl.
F. 35. Thinocorythidae, Seed-Snipe, Seed-Plover, 5 sp. Nl.
F. 36. CHARADRIIDAE (44), Waders, Plover-like Birds, 202 sp.—68(29)A., 75(5)O., 84(2)P., 70(24)E., 65(3)Nc., 74(28)Nl.
1
2
76 Turnstone, Sea-Dottrel, Calico (Beach) Bird, Arenaria interpres, cos.
[~76 Morinella interpres.]
Mig. c. shore 8
Winter plumage, mottled brown, black; summer plumage in far north; black and white conspicuous; short bill black; legs, feet, orange; f., duller. Sand-hoppers, shellfish.
2
13
77 Pied Oyster-catcher (White-breasted, Black and white), Seapie, Olive, Redbill, Torea, Haematopus longirostris, Mol., N.G., A., T., N.Z., Chatham Is. =vt. Eur. Oyster-catcher.
Stat. c. shores 19.5
Black; abdomen, rump, base tail above, below white; eyes, bill, legs red; bill 3.75in.; f., sim. Sand-hoppers, shellfish, worms.
78 Black Oyster-catcher (Sooty), Redbill, Toreo-pango, H. fuliginosus, A., T., N.Z.
Stat. c. shores 18
Sooty-black; bill, feet, eye red; f., sim. Shellfish, worms.
1
1
79 Red-kneed Dottrel, Sandpiper (e), Erythrogonys cinctus, A.
Mig. r. muddy river banks 7.5
Head, upper-neck, chest, black; throat, sides of neck, abdomen, under base tail white; back olive-brown; middle tail feathers olive, rest white; thigh, knee pink-red; f., sim. Insects.
2
4
80 Spurwing Plover (Wattled), Alarm-Bird, Lobivanellus lobatus, A., T.
[~80 Lobibyx novae hollandiae.]
Stat. c. plains, swamps 14
"One of most beautiful of plovers;" crown black; face, hind-neck, rump, under white; upper brown; tail white tipped black; wattle on face lemon-yellow; spur on shoulder; f., sim. Insects.
1
1
81[*] Black-breasted Plover (Stubble, Flock, Plain), Zonifer tricolor, A., T.
Stat. v.c. plains 10.5
Upper brown; crown, line on face down to broad band on chest, wing-quills black; line through eye, throat, abdomen white; tail white barred black; spot at base of upper-bill blood-red; f., spot lighter-red. Insects.
1
1
82 Gray Plover (Black-bellied), Gray Sandpiper (e), Maycock, Squatarola helvetica, cos.
[~82 Squatarola squatarola.]
Mig. r. muddy shores, rivers 12
Crown, upper, wings, olive-brown mottled white; wing-quills blackish-brown; rump white; tail white barred light olive; face, under white, breast tinged buff; bill, feet blackish; small hind toe; brighter in far North; f., sim. Insects, worms.
1
2
83 Lesser Golden Plover (Pacific, American, Australian, Eastern), Charadrius dominicus, almost cos.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. flocks, r. plains near sea, rivers 9
Upper, tail dark-brown marked whitish; under mottled buff, brown, white; line over eye, throat whitish; no hind toe; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.
4
8
84 Double-banded Dottrel (Banded), Pohowera, Ochthodromus bicinctus, A., T., Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is., N.Z.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. c. shores, grass 6.5
Upper brownish-gray; under white; black band on chest; chestnut band on abdomen; forehead white; black line through eye; eyelash scarlet; no hind toe; f., duller. Insects, worms.
85 Oriental Dottrel (Eastern, Asiatic, Mongolian), O. veredus, Mongolia, China to A.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. v.r. sandy coasts 9.5
Indistinct mottled plumage; upper brown and buff; throat lighter; abdomen white; slender bill dark-brown; legs long, slender; no hind toe; f., sim. Insects, worms.
4
19
86 Red-capped Dottrel, Red-necked Plover, Sandlark, Ægialitis ruficapilla, China to A., T., N.Z.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. c. shores 6
Crown, hind-neck rust-red; upper, wings pale-brown; wing-quills blackish-brown; centre tail dark-brown, rest white; under, forehead white; f., duller. Shellfish.
87[*] Black-fronted Dottrel, Æ. melanops, A.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. r. rivers, pools, lakes 6
Forehead, broad band on chest black; throat, abdomen, stripe over eye, round hind-neck white; eyelash bright-red; "active, elegant bird;" f., sim. Insects, worms.
88 Hooded Dottrel, Æ. cucullata, A., T.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. c. shore 8.3
Head, throat, upper-back black; hind-neck, under white; lower-back light brownish-gray; middle tail feathers black, rest tipped white; scarlet ring round eye; f., crown mottled black, white. Sand-hoppers, worms.
1
1
89 Australian Dottrel, Peltohyas australis, A. =vt. Eur. Common Dottrel.
[~83-89 Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. v.r. plains (interior) 8
Upper sandy-buff mottled with dark-brown; black band across top of head from eye to eye; black collar on hind-neck continued as a narrow V across chest; forehead, throat white; m., duller. Insects.
1
7
90 White-headed Stilt (Pied), Longshanks, Stilt-bird, Long-legged Plover, Himantopus leucocephalus, Great Sunda Is., Mol., N.G., A. =vt. Eur. Stilt.
[~90 Hypsibates]
Nom. r. swamps, lakes 15
White; hind-neck, back, wings black; long legs pink; f., smaller. Insects, pond-snails.
1
1
91 Banded Stilt, Rottnest Snipe (e), Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, A.
Nom. v.r. shallow lakes 13.5
White; broad chestnut band on breast; wings, centre of abdomen black; long bill black. Plaintive whistle.
1
4
92 Red-necked Avocet, Cobbler, Cobbler's Awl, Painted Lady, Scooper, Recurvirostra novae-hollandiae, A., T., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.
Nom. r. lakes, tidal bays 15.5
White; head, neck chestnut; wings black; f., sim. Shellfish, insects.
2
9
93 Australian Curlew, Sea-Curlew, Numenius cyanopus, E. Sib., Japan to A. =vt. Eur. Common Curlew.
Mig. c. tidal shores m., 21; f., 24
Arched bill 7in.; mottled brown; f., larger. Crabs, worms.
94 Oriental Whimbrel (Australian), Jack-Curlew, Mayfowl, N. variegatus, E. Sib., Japan to A., T. =vt. Eur. Whimbrel.
Mig. r. river, swamp 15
Brown mottled; chin, abdomen white; tail barred brown, white; arched bill 3in.; f., sim. Crabs, shellfish, worms.
1
1
95 Little Whimbrel, Mesoscolopax minutus, E. Sib., Mongolia, Japan to A.
[~95 Numenius minutus.]
Mig. v.r. swamps 12
Upper blackish-brown much marked and spotted buff; under, line past eye buff; arched bill 1.7in. Insects, worms.
2
5
96 Barred-rumped Godwit (Pacific), Kuaka, Limosa, novae-zealandiae (lapponica, Am.O.U.), Alaska, California; E. Sib. to A., T., N.Z., Oceania =vt. Eur. Barred-tailed Godwit.
[~96 Limosa baueri.]
Mig. c. shores 15
Upper brownish-gray marked whitish; rump, tail barred brown, white; abdomen white; legs brownish-black; broad, indistinct whitish eyebrow; bill long, slightly upturned; f., larger. Shellfish, worms, sand-hoppers.
97 Black-tailed Godwit, L. limosa, Br. Eur., N. Afr., India, E. Sib., Japan to A., Greenland (acc.), may be a distinct species than called L. melanuroides.
[~97 L. melanuroides.]
Mig. v.r. shallow lakes 16
Upper grayish-brown; wing white band flying; lower-back blackish-brown; upper base tail white; tail black, white at side at base; neck, breast, flanks grayish-brown; abdomen white; bill long, slightly upturned; f., larger. Insects, pond snails, worms.
1
2
98 Common Sandpiper, Summer Snipe, Tringoides hypoleucus, Eur. (Br.), N. Asia, Afr., Ind., to A. (acc.).
[~98 Tringa hypoleuca.]
Mig. u. shores, lakes 8
Upper pale-brown marked darker; wing-quills slightly tipped white; centre tail feathers glossy-brown, side feathers white barred brown; under white; chest marked pale-brown; indistinct pale eyebrow; tail constantly jerked; f., sim. Water-insects, shellfish.
1
1
99 Greenshank, Glottis nebularius, Br., Eastern hemisphere, Florida (acc.).
[~99 T. nebularia.]
Mig. r. shores, lakes 14
Face, under, tail white; sides of breast streaked brown; edge of tail barred freckled brown; crown, hind-neck gray; wings dark-brown; upper light-brown; legs deep olive-green; f., sim. Shellfish, worms.
1
1
100 Sanderling, Calidris arenaria (leucophoea, Am.O.U.), cos. exc. Pacific Is.
[~100 Arenaria leucophaea.]
Mig. v.r. sandy shores, swamps 7.5
Crown, back gray; white band on wing; sides, lower-back white; eyebrow, forehead, face, under white; no hind toe; brighter in far north; f., sim. Sand-hoppers, insects. "Wick."
2
5
101 Eastern Little Stint (Little), Red-necked Sandpiper, Land-snipe, Little Dunlin, Pisobia ruficollis, E. Sib., Jap., China to A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Little Stint.
[~101 Erolia ruficollis.]
Mig. flocks c. shores 6.2
Upper ashy-brown mottled darker; wing-quills blackish-brown; centre tail feathers blackish-brown; rest whitish; forehead, under white; faint chestnut band on chest; bill, legs black; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, shellfish.
1
5
102[*] Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Siberian-, Asiatic-Pectoral), Sharp-tailed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Marsh Tringa, Heteropygia aurita, (P. aurita, Am.O.U.), Alaska, E. Sib., Japan, Ind, to A., T., N.Z.
[~102 E. aurita.]
Mig. r. coast 8.5
Upper dark-brown marked gray; crown faint rufous; wing-quills dark-brown; face, under whitish, breast brownish; f., smaller. Small water-animals.
1
1
103 Curlew-Sandpiper, Pygmy Curlew, Curlew-Stint, Ancylochilus subarquatus (Erolia ferruginea, Am.O.U.), A., T., N.Z., almost cos. exc. Pac. Is.
[~103 E. ferruginea.]
Mig. flocks r. shore 8.5
Upper grayish-brown; eyebrow, rump, under white, chest tinged brown; bill 1.5 in., black, arched; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.
2
2
104 Knot, Knot-Snipe, Tringa canutus, almost cos., A., T., N.Z.
[~104 Canutus canutus.]
Mig. r. tidal mud flats 9
Upper grayish-brown; under white; flanks, breast barred grayish-brown; upper base tail white barred black; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.
105 Eastern Knot (Japanese), Great Sandpiper, T. crassirostris, E. Sib., Jap., Ind. to A.
[~105 C. magnus.]
Mig. v.r. shore 11.5
Crown, neck, brownish-gray; back, wings brown; rump white; tail brownish-gray; breast dark-brown marked white; abdomen white; bill olive, 1¾ in.; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.
106[*] Australian Snipe (Japanese, Latham), Jack Snipe, Bleater, Long-bill, Gallinago australis, Jap., Formosa, to A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Snipe.
Mig. c. swamps 9.5
Richly mottled; crown blackish with buff line along centre; face, chin buff; breast, washed reddish-brown; brown bars on flanks; back mottled brownish-black; under wings finely barred black, white; chestnut band on tail; two black lines on face; bill 2.7 in.; f., sim. Insects, worms.
1
3
107[*] Australian-Painted Snipe, Australian Rhynchaea, Rostratula australis, A.
Mig. v.r. grassy, bush 9.5
Beautiful mottled dotted; crown dark-brown, with buff line; throat, chest dark, chin lighter; wing brown, spotted black, white, buff; abdomen white; long straight bill 1.7 in.; m., duller, smaller. Insects, worms.
F. 37. PARRIDAE (1), PARRA, Jacana, Water-Pheasant, 11 sp.—2(1)A., 3(2)O., 3(3)E., 1(0)Nc., 4(3)Nl.
F. 38. Cursoriidae, Coursers, 15 sp.—3(2)O., 1(0)P., 13(12)E.
F. 39. GLAREOLIDAE (2), PRATINCOLES, Swallow-Plovers, 10 sp.—2(0)A., 4(1)O., 3(0)P., 7(5)E.
1
1
108 Australian Pratincole, Swallow-Plover, Stiltia isabella, Borneo, Java to A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Pratincole.
Mig. v.r. (interior) rivers, marshes 9.5
Upper, wings, breast light-rufous, throat whitish; abdomen chestnut; base tail above, below white; centre tail black, rest white; bill red, tipped black, swallow-like flight; f., sim. Insects.
F. 40. Dromadidae, Crab-Plover, 1 sp.—1(0)O., 1(0)E.
F. 41. ŒDICNEMIDAE (2), STONE-CURLEWS, Stone-Plovers, Thick-Knees, 13 sp.—2(1)A., 3(1)O., 1(0)P., 7(6)E., 3(3) Nl.
1
1
109[*] Southern Stone-Curlew (-Plover) Willaroo, Scrub Curlew, Burhinus grallarius, A., T. (acc.).
Stat. c. sandy plains, timber 20.5
Crown, upper dark-gray, marked black; round eye white; throat buff; chest, abdomen whitish, streaked blackish; white patch on wing; legs long; bill short, black; f., sim. Insects, berries. "Wee-lo."
F. 42. OTIDIDAE (1), BUSTARDS, 33 sp.—1(1)A., 7(2)O., 7(2)P., 23(21)E
1
5
110 Australian Bustard, Wild Turkey (e), Eupodotis australis, A.
[~110 Choriotis australis.]
Mig. r. plains 48
Crown black; face, neck grayish-white; upper, wings brown; wings spotted black-white; black band on chest; abdomen white; f., smaller. Seeds, grass, lizards, insects.
Australia, fortunately, has one representative of Order XI.—Cranes. This is the Native Companion, the only true Crane found in Australia. These are interesting birds, with their "quadrille parties," "corroborees," and dances. They live chiefly on vermin—insects, lizards, &c. The great Gould said: "Its presence adds greatly to the interest of the scenery." Would that more Australians thought so!
Cranes are amongst the best of flyers. They are said to fly sometimes at a height of from three and a half to five miles, and have been seen to cross lofty mountains in Central Asia without increasing their altitude. Perhaps because of its inappropriate name—Native Companion—some have proposed to regard this bird as the typical Australian bird, but it is not so. In fact, it is our one representative of an almost world-wide group.
