Squatarola squatarola (Linnaeus): Black-bellied Plover.—On September 2 I saw a flock of 12 plovers on the Tawau golf course. They were in a mottled plumage indicating extensive molt and feather growth. Later in the day a bird in almost complete breeding plumage flew overhead.
Charadrius peroni Schlegel: Malay Sand Plover.—On September 15, one was sitting on the Tawau Airport runway. Another was observed on November 20, feeding near a water buffalo wallow on the Brantian Estate. Smythies (1960:191) lists sandy beaches as the only habitat.
Charadrius leschenaulti Lesson: Large Sand Plover.—On September 16 one was sitting on the Tawau Airport runway.
Numenius phaeopus variegatus (Scopoli): Whimbrel.—Specimen, 1: Karindingen Island: ♂, November 24, 1962, MCT 3315.
This was the most common curlew around Karindingen Island on November 24. Flocks of 10 to 20 individuals were feeding on the coral sand around the island, and a few individuals were sitting in the tops of dead mangroves at low tide.
Numenius arquata (Linnaeus): Common Curlew.—On November 24, a Common Curlew flew from Karindingen Island toward the mainland.
Numenius madagascariensis (Linnaeus): Eastern Curlew.—I first observed this curlew on August 17 at Karindingen Island, where 50 were feeding on the coral sand. At that time it was the most abundant shorebird. When I returned to the island on November 24, several were seen around the island, but the species was not so abundant as N. phaeopus.
Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus): Bar-tailed Godwit.—A flock of five was observed at Karindingen Island on November 24.
Tringa totanus eurhinus (Oberholser): Redshank.—Specimens, 2: Karindingen Island: ♀, November 24, 1962, MCT 3312; ♀, November 24, 1962, MCT 3313.
On August 17, this bird was common and feeding on the coral sand at Karindingen Island. When I revisited the island on November 24 the Redshank seemed to prefer the mangrove areas for feeding and was the most common wader.