58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 - click to enlarge
58 Royal Albatross,D. regia, A., T., N.Z. Seas.c.ocean44Lately separated from 57, because young have white down instead of gray; adult has no zigzag lines; f., sim. Food see 57.59 Black-browed Albatross(Mollymawk),D. melanophrys, S. Oceans, England (once).v.c.ocean32Head, neck, under, upper base tail white; blackish-gray streak through eye; wings dark brown; back slaty-black; tail dark-gray; bill buff-yellow; f., young sim. Fish.60 White-capped Albatross, shy Mollymawk,D. (Thalassageron) cauta, A. Seas, Bass St.c.ocean31Back slaty-gray; rump white; wings dark-gray; tail slaty-gray; head, neck, under white; blackish streak through eye; bill horn-color; f., smaller. Fish, barnacles, shrimps.61 Flat-billed Albatross, (Yellow-nosed (e), Gray-headed), Gould Yellow-nosed Mollymawk,D. chrysostoma (culminata), A., Indian O., Pacific O., Oregon (cas.) G. of St. Lawrence (cas.).r.ocean28Back, wings, tail dark grayish-black; head, neck gray; faint blackish streak through eye; under, rump white; bill black, tip, crest, lower-edge yellow, f., sim. Food see 60.62 Yellow-nosed AlbatrossD. chlororhynchus, S. Atl. O., S. Ind. O., A., T.c.ocean30Under, head, neck, rump white; back, wings brownish-black, tail brownish; bill black, crest bright orange-yellow, tip blood-orange; faint dark streak through eye; f., sim. Food see 60.1163 Sooty Albatross,Phoebetria palpebrata (fuliginosa), S. Oceans, Oregon (cas.), A., N.Z.c.oceans29.5Sooty-brown; white ring almost round eye; bill black; f., sim. Food as 60.F. 31.Alcidae, Auk, Garefowl, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Murre, 28 sp.—22(1)P., 27(6)Nc.
58 Royal Albatross,D. regia, A., T., N.Z. Seas.
c.ocean44
Lately separated from 57, because young have white down instead of gray; adult has no zigzag lines; f., sim. Food see 57.
59 Black-browed Albatross(Mollymawk),D. melanophrys, S. Oceans, England (once).
v.c.ocean32
Head, neck, under, upper base tail white; blackish-gray streak through eye; wings dark brown; back slaty-black; tail dark-gray; bill buff-yellow; f., young sim. Fish.
60 White-capped Albatross, shy Mollymawk,D. (Thalassageron) cauta, A. Seas, Bass St.
c.ocean31
Back slaty-gray; rump white; wings dark-gray; tail slaty-gray; head, neck, under white; blackish streak through eye; bill horn-color; f., smaller. Fish, barnacles, shrimps.
61 Flat-billed Albatross, (Yellow-nosed (e), Gray-headed), Gould Yellow-nosed Mollymawk,D. chrysostoma (culminata), A., Indian O., Pacific O., Oregon (cas.) G. of St. Lawrence (cas.).
r.ocean28
Back, wings, tail dark grayish-black; head, neck gray; faint blackish streak through eye; under, rump white; bill black, tip, crest, lower-edge yellow, f., sim. Food see 60.
62 Yellow-nosed AlbatrossD. chlororhynchus, S. Atl. O., S. Ind. O., A., T.
c.ocean30
Under, head, neck, rump white; back, wings brownish-black, tail brownish; bill black, crest bright orange-yellow, tip blood-orange; faint dark streak through eye; f., sim. Food see 60.
11
63 Sooty Albatross,Phoebetria palpebrata (fuliginosa), S. Oceans, Oregon (cas.), A., N.Z.
c.oceans29.5
Sooty-brown; white ring almost round eye; bill black; f., sim. Food as 60.
F. 31.Alcidae, Auk, Garefowl, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Murre, 28 sp.—22(1)P., 27(6)Nc.
The birds of Order IX. are mainly shore birds. There are four chief kinds of these—Terns (Sea-Swallows), including Noddy Terns, Gulls, the remarkable northern Skimmers, which skim along the surface with the lengthened end of the lower mandible in the water, and the bold sea-pirates, Skuas. Fifty-seven Terns and Noddies are found throughout the world. Of these, twenty-one have been recorded from Australian waters.
Being powerful flyers, it is not surprising to find that several of the Australian Terns are really Old-World, and even New-World, forms too. Thus the Whiskered (Marsh) Tern is also British. The Caspian, Gull-billed, and Bridled (Brown-winged) Terns are British and American, while the Sooty Tern is found in all tropical and sub-tropical seas. It is one of the famous birds of the world, for it is the "egg bird" of sailors. It retires in large companies to low scrubby islands to breed. Here it lays a single egg on the bare ground. Sailors, tired of ship's fare, often visit these "rookeries." Gould quotes a record of one party which took 1500 dozen eggs on one small island in Torres Strait. Spanish eggers from Havanah take cargoes, which are disposed of at 25 cents per gallon.
The Wide-Awake Fair, of Ascension Island, is a famous annual event in natural history. A similar scene has been described by Mr. A. W. Milligan, the well-known West Australian ornithologist, on the Houtman Abrolhos Island, west of Western Australia. Here acres of the ground were covered by birds sitting on their nests. The question is, does each find its own nest when it returns to sit? Mr. Milligan settled this in the affirmative by tying a piece of string to a sitting bird and then letting it take flight. It found its own egg, and resumed its work. It is noteworthy that no two of the million eggs are similarly marked, and this puzzling variation in marking probably assists each bird to recognize its own egg.
One of the daintiest of these birds is the Fairy Tern, which was common on Mud Island while the 1909 Summer School was being held. Obedient to the call of the mother bird, which hovered threateningly overhead, the mottled and striped young one squatted on the shelly sand beach while bird-lovers hunted around for the material for a photograph. At length the dark eye revealed the beautifully-protected young bird.
As the camera was being fixed, a different call from the mother caused the young one to run away. Three or four naturalists tried to catch the active little bird, which stopped for a moment and disgorged two whole small fish, with which its mother had evidently but recently fed it. Eventually a good picture was obtained. These Terns nest singly, though others nest in large companies. They obtain fish by diving into the sea. It was interesting, on a Nature-study excursion, to watch the Crested Terns diving frequently into the sea above a shoal of small fish at Sandringham.
We found the Noddies breeding in thousands on Mast Head Island, in the Capricorn Group. They built a small platform of leaves, or seaweed, high or low, on every possible nesting site on the greatPisoniatrees. In fact, there is an interesting kind of partnership between the bird and the tree. The fruits of thePisoniahave bands of sticky glands, which adhere to the plumage of the birds. After a time the fruits fall off, possibly on another island, and so this interesting tree is spread throughout these small coral sandbanks and islets. The birds are sometimes soloaded and clogged with these fruits that they are incapable of flight. Surely here is a wonderful partnership between the tree-frequenting Noddy and the forest tree that provides shelter and nesting places for it. It is, indeed, a marvellous method of seed dispersal.
The number of ocean birds breeding on these tiny island-paradises is amazing. Minute Mast Head Island is a place free of all pests—no flies, no mosquitoes, no ticks, no snakes, nor prickly plants, but a deep shady forest of giantPisoniatrees, sometimes covered with creepers and lianas, and fringed with pretty flowering shrubs, fig trees, and long green grass, and surrounded, above spring-tide level, by a fringe of graceful Horse-tail Sheoaks (Casuarinas). We calculated that over 100,000 birds bred annually on this 100-acre sandbank, no point of which rose 10 feet above spring-tide level. The graceful White-capped Noddies already mentioned nested high and low on the trees and shrubs. Petrels in thousands burrowed in the sand under the giantPisonias, which are so thickly foliaged that not enough light penetrates to enable undergrowth to flourish, so the sand was practically bare in the centre of the island. Reef Herons nested low on spreading branches or interlacing roots. Silver Gulls and Oyster-catchers nested on the ground, within about a yard of the spring-tide mark; Doves, Silver-eyes, Bell-Magpies (Streperas), Caterpillar-eaters, Kingfishers, and other land birds nested in the trees, while the White-bellied Sea-Eagle (almost a fac-simile of the Bald Eagle of America) had his nest overlooking all, on the highest tree on the island. The Frigate Birds were not nesting on Mast Head Island, but they roosted each night in the tall Sheoaks at the water's edge. It was a treat, in the late afternoon, to see these glorious birds winding up their invisible staircase into the vast void of upper air. Gloriously and calmly they sailed up and up, until the merest speck only could be seen. Of corals, turtles, and other marvels we may not speak here. The migrating wading-birds had just reached the island after their long journey from Siberian Tundras. Some were so poor that we caught Sandpipers by hand. Flocks of Turnstone, Golden Plover, Godwits, Curlew, and other wading-birds were there, possibly only resting before continuing their journey to the South. It was indeed a privilege to live on such a spot for nine days and to see Nature in some of her most interesting phases.
The two Australian Seagulls illustrate the "law of representatives" so often referred to by Gould. It is strange how often a closely similar representative of a Northern bird is found in Australia. Thus the big Pacific Gull is the representative of the large Gull of Europe, though its peculiar deepened and orange-colored bill is distinctive. It does not gain its beautiful white and black plumage until it is three or more years old, being brown in the first year, and brown and white in the second year.
The Silver Gull is known to all. Though a dainty-looking bird, it has a bad character. It is worse than any bird of prey for stealing eggs and young birds, for let a gannet or other nestingbird but leave the nest for a moment, and Gulls quickly rob it of its contents. They are scavengers, and eagerly follow a steamer at lunch-time to gather the scraps. An interesting sight of Currie Harbor, King Island, is to see the large company of Seagulls nesting undisturbed on a tiny, bare, rocky islet close to the pier.
It was noted that, whenever the Noddies were disturbed, and rose, protesting loudly, the Gulls immediately gathered and hovered over the trees containing Noddies' nests. Evidently they were looking for unprotected eggs.
Placed in the next family are the seven robber Gulls or sea pirates—Skuas. We read of these birds in the oldRoyal Readers, but few recognized them when they followed us to the Summer School of 1910. They also followed our afternoon-tea cruise to South Channel fort, and played their usual game of compelling the Seagulls to give up the scraps they had gathered.The Robber Gull, or Skua, of Victoria is, strange to say, identical with the Skua of England. The one that followed the s.s.Lady Lochto the Summer School is better known in England as the Arctic Gull or Richardson Skua. It breeds in the far North, so it is a great traveller.
One interesting fact about these birds is that they show two sets of plumage. Thus, while each bird, as it gets older, usually changes its immature and almost uniform dusky plumage for a white under-surface, an incomplete white collar, and a blackish cap, yet some retain the dusky plumage throughout life. This is a good example of "dimorphism," as it is termed. Usually, instead of picking up their own prey, they watch until some other bird has captured a meal, and then they rapidly pursue it and cause it to disgorge. They do not skim over the waves likePetrels, but show a heavy, labored flight, varied by a short soar. As the two centre tail feathers project beyond the rest, the birds can be readily identified as they follow a steamer for tit-bits.
64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 - click to enlarge
ORDER IX.—LARIFORMES.F. 32. LARIDAE (21), TERNS, NODDIES, GULLS, Skimmers, 125 sp.—32(13)A., 35(3)O., 45(1)P., 42(6)E., 43(5)Nc., 46(19)Nl.2464 Whiskered Tern(Marsh),Hydrochelidon fluviatilis (hybrida), Eur. (Br.) to China, Malay, Afr. to A.r.swamps (inland)11Head black; upper, wings, tail light-gray; face, throat, tail white; chest dark-gray; abdomen black; bill blood-red; winter, head grayish-white; f., sim. Water-insects, small fish.1165 Gull-billed Tern(Long-legged),Gelochelidon macrotarsa (anglica), cos.[~65-66Genus Thalasseus.]r.rivers,swamps inland17White; crown, hind-neck black; upper, wing-quills silvery-gray; bill long, stout, black; long legs and feet black; winter head white streaked black; f., sim. Small fish, insects.1166 Caspian Tern, Taranui,Sterna (Hydroprogne) caspia, cos. exc. S. Amer.[~65-66Genus Thalasseus.]c.shore20.5Head, hind-neck black; back, wings, tail pale-gray; dark-gray wing-quills; under white; bill scarlet; dives; f., smaller. Fish.103767*Crested Tern(Swift, Rüppell, Bass-St., Torres-St.), Village Blacksmith,Sterna bergii, Red S., Indian O., to Japan to A., Pac. Is.v.c.ocean17Crown, crest black; forehead, sides and back of neck, under, white; back, wings, tail dark-gray; bill yellow; legs, feet black; f., sim. Fish.68 White-fronted Tern(Southern),S. striata (frontalis), E.A., T., N.Z.c.shore13Upper delicate-gray; wing-quills grayish-black; forehead, side-neck, under white; bill, about eye, hind-neck black; f., sim. Small fish.69 Bridled Tern(Brown-winged, Panayan, Smaller-Sooty),S. anaestheta, tropical, sub-tropical seas.v.c.shore14.5Upper light sooty-brown; forehead, line over eye, throat, under white; crown, nape, line from bill past eye black; bill, legs, feet black; like 70, but smaller; back, wings brown; f., sim. Fish.
F. 32. LARIDAE (21), TERNS, NODDIES, GULLS, Skimmers, 125 sp.—32(13)A., 35(3)O., 45(1)P., 42(6)E., 43(5)Nc., 46(19)Nl.
24
64 Whiskered Tern(Marsh),Hydrochelidon fluviatilis (hybrida), Eur. (Br.) to China, Malay, Afr. to A.
r.swamps (inland)11
Head black; upper, wings, tail light-gray; face, throat, tail white; chest dark-gray; abdomen black; bill blood-red; winter, head grayish-white; f., sim. Water-insects, small fish.
11
65 Gull-billed Tern(Long-legged),Gelochelidon macrotarsa (anglica), cos.[~65-66Genus Thalasseus.]
r.rivers,swamps inland17
White; crown, hind-neck black; upper, wing-quills silvery-gray; bill long, stout, black; long legs and feet black; winter head white streaked black; f., sim. Small fish, insects.
11
66 Caspian Tern, Taranui,Sterna (Hydroprogne) caspia, cos. exc. S. Amer.[~65-66Genus Thalasseus.]
c.shore20.5
Head, hind-neck black; back, wings, tail pale-gray; dark-gray wing-quills; under white; bill scarlet; dives; f., smaller. Fish.
1037
67*Crested Tern(Swift, Rüppell, Bass-St., Torres-St.), Village Blacksmith,Sterna bergii, Red S., Indian O., to Japan to A., Pac. Is.
v.c.ocean17
Crown, crest black; forehead, sides and back of neck, under, white; back, wings, tail dark-gray; bill yellow; legs, feet black; f., sim. Fish.
68 White-fronted Tern(Southern),S. striata (frontalis), E.A., T., N.Z.
c.shore13
Upper delicate-gray; wing-quills grayish-black; forehead, side-neck, under white; bill, about eye, hind-neck black; f., sim. Small fish.
69 Bridled Tern(Brown-winged, Panayan, Smaller-Sooty),S. anaestheta, tropical, sub-tropical seas.
v.c.shore14.5
Upper light sooty-brown; forehead, line over eye, throat, under white; crown, nape, line from bill past eye black; bill, legs, feet black; like 70, but smaller; back, wings brown; f., sim. Fish.
81, 87, 102, 106, 107, 109, 119, 123, 125 - click to enlarge
70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 - click to enlarge
70 Sooty Tern, Wide-awake, Egg-bird,S. fuliginosa(S. fuscata, A.O.U.), tropical, sub-tropical seas, Br. (acc).[~70Sterna fuscata.]v.c.shores17Upper, crown, wings, line from bill past eye, tail black; forehead, under white; bill, feet black; like 69, but larger, blacker above; f., sim. Fish, squid. "Oo-ee."71*White-faced Ternlet, Sea-swallow, Little (Fairy) Tern, Taraiti,S. nereis, A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Little Tern.c.shore10.5Upper silvery-gray; under, rump, tall, forehead white; crown, hind-neck black; bill, feet orange-yellow; f., sim. Small fish.14572*Silver Gull(Jameson), Seagull, Sea Pigeon,Larus novae-hollandiae, A., T., N. Cal., N.Z. (acc).Stat. c.shore,inland17.5Head, neck, under, rump, tail white; back, wings delicate-gray; wing-tips white and black bars; bill, legs, feet blood-red; eye white; f., sim. Scraps, eggs, omnivorous.1173*Pacific Gull(Larger),Gabianus pacificus. A., T. =vt. Eur. Greater Black-backed Gull.Stat. c.shore25"This fine gull;" head, neck, under white; tail white barred black; back, wings slaty-black; eye white; legs yellow; deepened bill orange tipped red; f., smaller; young up to 4 years mottled-brown, becoming more like adult each year. Fish, crabs, carrion.F. 33. STERCORARIIDAE (4), SKUAS, Robber Gulls, Sea Pirates, 7 sp.—4(0)A., 1(0)O., 4(0)P., 3(0)E., 4(0)Nc., 4(1)Nl.1474 Great Southern Skua, Robber Gull, Port-Egmont-Hen, Sea-Hawk, Hakoakoa,Megalestris antarctica, S. Oceans, A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Great Skua.[~74Catharacta.]Mig. r.shores23Upper blackish-brown; under chocolate-brown; wing white patch; centre tail feathers project ½in.; f., sim. Stolen fish, carrion.2375 Richardson Skua(Arctic), Arctic (Parasite) Gull, Long-tailed Jaeger, Sea-Pirate, Boatswain-Bird, Teaser,Stercorarius crepidatus, cos.[~75C. parasitica.]Mig. r.shores20Dimorphic (two phases)—1. Dusky upper; blackish cap; narrow whitish collar; under white; brown band on chest; brown band on wing; centre tail feathers project 3ins.; strong bill, claws. 2. Under mottled and barred brown and whitish; follow bay steamers; f., sim. Stolen fish.
70 Sooty Tern, Wide-awake, Egg-bird,S. fuliginosa(S. fuscata, A.O.U.), tropical, sub-tropical seas, Br. (acc).[~70Sterna fuscata.]
v.c.shores17
Upper, crown, wings, line from bill past eye, tail black; forehead, under white; bill, feet black; like 69, but larger, blacker above; f., sim. Fish, squid. "Oo-ee."
71*White-faced Ternlet, Sea-swallow, Little (Fairy) Tern, Taraiti,S. nereis, A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Little Tern.
c.shore10.5
Upper silvery-gray; under, rump, tall, forehead white; crown, hind-neck black; bill, feet orange-yellow; f., sim. Small fish.
145
72*Silver Gull(Jameson), Seagull, Sea Pigeon,Larus novae-hollandiae, A., T., N. Cal., N.Z. (acc).
Stat. c.shore,inland17.5
Head, neck, under, rump, tail white; back, wings delicate-gray; wing-tips white and black bars; bill, legs, feet blood-red; eye white; f., sim. Scraps, eggs, omnivorous.
11
73*Pacific Gull(Larger),Gabianus pacificus. A., T. =vt. Eur. Greater Black-backed Gull.
Stat. c.shore25
"This fine gull;" head, neck, under white; tail white barred black; back, wings slaty-black; eye white; legs yellow; deepened bill orange tipped red; f., smaller; young up to 4 years mottled-brown, becoming more like adult each year. Fish, crabs, carrion.
F. 33. STERCORARIIDAE (4), SKUAS, Robber Gulls, Sea Pirates, 7 sp.—4(0)A., 1(0)O., 4(0)P., 3(0)E., 4(0)Nc., 4(1)Nl.
14
74 Great Southern Skua, Robber Gull, Port-Egmont-Hen, Sea-Hawk, Hakoakoa,Megalestris antarctica, S. Oceans, A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Great Skua.[~74Catharacta.]
Mig. r.shores23
Upper blackish-brown; under chocolate-brown; wing white patch; centre tail feathers project ½in.; f., sim. Stolen fish, carrion.
23
75 Richardson Skua(Arctic), Arctic (Parasite) Gull, Long-tailed Jaeger, Sea-Pirate, Boatswain-Bird, Teaser,Stercorarius crepidatus, cos.[~75C. parasitica.]
Mig. r.shores20
Dimorphic (two phases)—1. Dusky upper; blackish cap; narrow whitish collar; under white; brown band on chest; brown band on wing; centre tail feathers project 3ins.; strong bill, claws. 2. Under mottled and barred brown and whitish; follow bay steamers; f., sim. Stolen fish.
The fifty Australian birds included in the important order of Waders are remarkably like such birds found inhabiting other regions of the globe, shore conditions apparently being somewhat similar the world over. It is interesting to note that thirteen of the forty-four Australian members of this family of Plover-like birds are also found in Britain, and that most of the others are direct representatives of closely-related birds found in other Countries. No less than twenty-eight of these birds are merely visitors here, for they breed away in the far North. Many evennest within the Arctic Circle, in Siberia, for it is a rule that a migrating bird nests in the colder of the two countries visited. Strictly, these twenty-eight species are Siberian, or at least northern, forms, and not Australian birds.
Many members of this group undergo a seasonal change of plumage when breeding time comes. As they spend this season in the Northern Hemisphere, we do not see them in their brilliant colors, but in quiet, mottled browns and grays.
Some are "accidental" visitors to Australia. Possibly they find their way here by getting mixed with a company of allied birds on their annual journey south. Thus the Common (British) Sandpiper is a very rare bird here, though it retains its British name—Common Sandpiper. Similarly, other European and American birds have been recorded, and the number of thesefar-wandering birds recorded from Australia is likely to be still further increased. The stout, short-legged Turnstone is the most cosmopolitan of birds. Breeding in Siberia, so widely does it roam, that it has visited almost every shore in the world, where, true to name, it turns the stones in search of sandhoppers.
The two "Oyster-catchers"—"Redbills"—are representatives of similar birds found almost the world over. Their deepened, flat bill is said to serve as a pick-axe to force open oysters and mussels. We found one or two pairs on almost every shore we visited about Bass Strait, on Eyre Peninsula, and on the Barrier Reef.
The two common Plovers—the Spurwing and Black-breasted—do not migrate, so we see them in brighter colors. Still, though bright when noticed, they are yet wonderfully protected, as they stand quite still. I felt great astonishment on finding that I had driven, near Lake Tyrrell, into the midst of a company of over a thousand Black-breasted Plovers, not noticed until the eye picked out one and then another. It recalled to mind the scenein theLady of the Lake, when Fitz James found the hillside alive with Roderick Dhu's warriors.
The White-headed Stilt, or Long-legged Plover, is one of five species spread throughout the world. Some people have pretended to pity the Stilt for being one of Nature's misfits, but surely they never saw the bird in a state of nature enjoying life, and gaining an easy living on shallow tidal flats, its long legs being a beautiful adaptation to the environment in which it lives.
The Banded Stilt is a purely Australian bird, and has no representative in other countries. These and some other shore-birds live about tidal flats, and get their food in the soft mud. Their long bill is often flexible, and the tip is sometimes well supplied with nerves, so that it is sensitive. The bird can thus detect, in the soft mud, any animal that would serve for food. It can then open its bill enough to catch the animal without trouble. The Avocet's bill is sharply curved upwards, and is one of the mostremarkable of such organs. The Australian Avocet is one species of a cosmopolitan genus.
Some of the Dottrels live on the dry, open plains of the interior; others frequent the beaches and shores.
When a bird of prey appears, these plain-living birds squat quite flat, placing even the head flat on the ground. They thus escape detection, for the protective coloring of these birds and of their eggs is marvellous. The story of how a photograph of a Dottrel's nest was obtained is of value to teachers, for it will remind us that it is not well to neglect the three R's, and that Nature-study alone will not give a complete education. Three bird-lovers spent some time trying to find this nest, while the parent birds flew noisily around. Suspecting at last that the birds' knowledge of numbers was probably deficient, the three hid behind a log. Two then walked away. The birds immediately returned to the nest, and a valuable photograph was the result. A training in Nature-study, valuable as it undoubtedly is, is thus not all of our work.
The Painted Snipe breeds in Australia, but the Australian Snipe breeds in Japan, so it, properly speaking, is not an Australianbird. Think of the journey twice a year! Six of these wading-birds even visit New Zealand each year. How do they find their way there, across a gap of over 1000 miles, without any land whatever? Inherited memory is strong, but how did the first batches find their way? Their annual journey supports the geographer in his surmise that Australia at no very distant date extended very much farther to the east. Indeed, these birds almost certainly follow the old coast of the Australian continent.
Snipe, some Plovers, Dottrels, Curlews (Sea), Whimbrels, Godwits, &c., thus go to the North each year to partake of the abundant banquet of fruits, &c., preserved in the great ice chamber of the North. Numberless flocks of birds follow up the melting ice, and so nest unmolested on the great tundras and plains of Siberia. They wear their bright wedding dress in the far North, and are known here only in the quiet mottled browns and grays. In autumn these birds depart. They travel mostly at night, toavoid Birds of Prey, and so are seldom seen, though they may be heard calling as they pass high overhead. They are occasionally seen with the aid of telescopes as they pass across the face of the moon.
The Pratincole, or Swallow-Plover, is a representative of an Old-World family. Its long wings and long legs denote a rapid runner and a rapid flyer, so that it has little trouble in catching its insect food, either in the air or on the ground.
Our inland Stone-Curlew has a call very similar to that of the sea (true) Curlew, but it has a short, straight bill, instead of a long, arched bill. The proper name of the land Curlew is the Southern Stone-Curlew or Stone-Plover. It is the only Australian bird that seems to have the power of varying the color of itseggs. If the eggs are laid in grass, they are greenish; if amongst ironstone, the eggs are reddish-brown; if on sand, the eggs are tawny; and so on. Other ground-laying birds seem to pick out the soil that matches the color of their eggs, and lay there only. Possibly local races of the Southern Stone-Curlew keep to the one class of country. However, the eggs do match the surroundings, and the birds nest on different kinds of soil and rock.
In Family 42, the only Australian bird is the Australian Bustard, our representative of a widely-spread family, a member of which formerly bred in Great Britain. It is the well-known "Wild Turkey." As it is a good table bird, it is generally shot on sight. This is a mistake, as it is (as Mr. C. French, Government Entomologist, has pointed out) worth many times its table value as an insect destroyer. None of the family has spread to America.As no Bustard occurs in the regions between Australia and India, this bird supplies a good example of what is known to zoo-geographers as "discontinuous distribution." "Discontinuous distribution," as applied to land animals,e.g., marsupials found in America and Australia, ratite birds in South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, or the tapir, found in Central America and Malaysia, implies a land connexion (not necessarily complete at any one period) to allow of the gradual spread of the animals. Of course, as flying birds can pass easily from one region to another, "discontinuous distribution," as applied to them, cannot have so much importance attached to it as indicating previous land connexions.
76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 - click to enlarge
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.1276 Turnstone, Sea-Dottrel, Calico (Beach) Bird,Arenaria interpres, cos.[~76Morinella interpres.]Mig. c.shore8Winter plumage, mottled brown, black; summer plumage in far north; black and white conspicuous; short bill black; legs, feet, orange; f., duller. Sand-hoppers, shellfish.21377 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.shores19.5Black; 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.shores18Sooty-black; bill, feet, eye red; f., sim. Shellfish, worms.1179 Red-kneed Dottrel, Sandpiper (e),Erythrogonys cinctus, A.Mig. r.muddy river banks7.5Head, 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.2480 Spurwing Plover(Wattled), Alarm-Bird,Lobivanellus lobatus, A., T.[~80Lobibyx novae hollandiae.]Stat. c.plains,swamps14"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.1181*Black-breasted Plover(Stubble, Flock, Plain),Zonifer tricolor, A., T.Stat. v.c.plains10.5Upper 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.1182 Gray Plover(Black-bellied), Gray Sandpiper (e), Maycock,Squatarola helvetica, cos.[~82Squatarola squatarola.]Mig. r.muddy shores,rivers12Crown, 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.
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.
12
76 Turnstone, Sea-Dottrel, Calico (Beach) Bird,Arenaria interpres, cos.[~76Morinella interpres.]
Mig. c.shore8
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.
213
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.shores19.5
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.shores18
Sooty-black; bill, feet, eye red; f., sim. Shellfish, worms.
11
79 Red-kneed Dottrel, Sandpiper (e),Erythrogonys cinctus, A.
Mig. r.muddy river banks7.5
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.
24
80 Spurwing Plover(Wattled), Alarm-Bird,Lobivanellus lobatus, A., T.[~80Lobibyx novae hollandiae.]
Stat. c.plains,swamps14
"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.
11
81*Black-breasted Plover(Stubble, Flock, Plain),Zonifer tricolor, A., T.
Stat. v.c.plains10.5
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.
11
82 Gray Plover(Black-bellied), Gray Sandpiper (e), Maycock,Squatarola helvetica, cos.[~82Squatarola squatarola.]
Mig. r.muddy shores,rivers12
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.
83, 84, 85, 86, 87 - click to enlarge
1283 Lesser Golden Plover(Pacific, American, Australian, Eastern),Charadrius dominicus, almost cos.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Mig. flocks, r.plains near sea,rivers9Upper, 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.4884 Double-banded Dottrel(Banded), Pohowera,Ochthodromus bicinctus, A., T., Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is., N.Z.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Mig. c.shores,grass6.5Upper 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.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Mig. v.r.sandy coasts9.5Indistinct mottled plumage; upper brown and buff; throat lighter; abdomen white; slender bill dark-brown; legs long, slender; no hind toe; f., sim. Insects, worms.41986 Red-capped Dottrel, Red-necked Plover, Sandlark,Ægialitis ruficapilla, China to A., T., N.Z.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Stat. c.shores6Crown, 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.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Stat. r.rivers,pools,lakes6Forehead, broad band on chest black; throat, abdomen, stripe over eye, round hind-neck white; eyelash bright-red; "active, elegant bird;" f., sim. Insects, worms.
12
83 Lesser Golden Plover(Pacific, American, Australian, Eastern),Charadrius dominicus, almost cos.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. flocks, r.plains near sea,rivers9
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.
48
84 Double-banded Dottrel(Banded), Pohowera,Ochthodromus bicinctus, A., T., Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is., N.Z.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. c.shores,grass6.5
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.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Mig. v.r.sandy coasts9.5
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.
419
86 Red-capped Dottrel, Red-necked Plover, Sandlark,Ægialitis ruficapilla, China to A., T., N.Z.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. c.shores6
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.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. r.rivers,pools,lakes6
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, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93 - click to enlarge
88 Hooded Dottrel,Æ. cucullata, A., T.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Stat. c.shore8.3Head, 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.1189 Australian Dottrel,Peltohyas australis, A. =vt. Eur. Common Dottrel.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]Mig. v.r.plains (interior)8Upper 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.1790 White-headed Stilt(Pied), Longshanks, Stilt-bird, Long-legged Plover,Himantopus leucocephalus, Great Sunda Is., Mol., N.G., A. =vt. Eur. Stilt.[~90Hypsibates]Nom. r.swamps,lakes15White; hind-neck, back, wings black; long legs pink; f., smaller. Insects, pond-snails.1191 Banded Stilt, Rottnest Snipe (e),Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, A.Nom. v.r.shallow lakes13.5White; broad chestnut band on breast; wings, centre of abdomen black; long bill black. Plaintive whistle.1492 Red-necked Avocet, Cobbler, Cobbler's Awl, Painted Lady, Scooper,Recurvirostra novae-hollandiae, A., T., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.Nom. r.lakes,tidal bays15.5White; head, neck chestnut; wings black; f., sim. Shellfish, insects.2993 Australian Curlew, Sea-Curlew,Numenius cyanopus, E. Sib., Japan to A. =vt. Eur. Common Curlew.Mig. c.tidal shoresm., 21; f., 24Arched bill 7in.; mottled brown; f., larger. Crabs, worms.
88 Hooded Dottrel,Æ. cucullata, A., T.[~83-89Genus Charadrius.]
Stat. c.shore8.3
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.
11
89 Australian Dottrel,Peltohyas australis, A. =vt. Eur. Common Dottrel.[~83-89Genus 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.
17
90 White-headed Stilt(Pied), Longshanks, Stilt-bird, Long-legged Plover,Himantopus leucocephalus, Great Sunda Is., Mol., N.G., A. =vt. Eur. Stilt.[~90Hypsibates]
Nom. r.swamps,lakes15
White; hind-neck, back, wings black; long legs pink; f., smaller. Insects, pond-snails.
11
91 Banded Stilt, Rottnest Snipe (e),Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, A.
Nom. v.r.shallow lakes13.5
White; broad chestnut band on breast; wings, centre of abdomen black; long bill black. Plaintive whistle.
14
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 bays15.5
White; head, neck chestnut; wings black; f., sim. Shellfish, insects.
29
93 Australian Curlew, Sea-Curlew,Numenius cyanopus, E. Sib., Japan to A. =vt. Eur. Common Curlew.
Mig. c.tidal shoresm., 21; f., 24
Arched bill 7in.; mottled brown; f., larger. Crabs, worms.
94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 - click to enlarge
94 Oriental Whimbrel(Australian), Jack-Curlew, Mayfowl,N. variegatus, E. Sib., Japan to A., T. =vt. Eur. Whimbrel.Mig. r.river,swamp15Brown mottled; chin, abdomen white; tail barred brown, white; arched bill 3in.; f., sim. Crabs, shellfish, worms.1195 Little Whimbrel,Mesoscolopax minutus, E. Sib., Mongolia, Japan to A.[~95Numenius minutus.]Mig. v.r.swamps12Upper blackish-brown much marked and spotted buff; under, line past eye buff; arched bill 1.7in. Insects, worms.2596 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.[~96Limosa baueri.]Mig. c.shores15Upper 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 calledL. melanuroides.[~97L. melanuroides.]Mig. v.r.shallow lakes16Upper 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.1298 Common Sandpiper, Summer Snipe,Tringoides hypoleucus, Eur. (Br.), N. Asia, Afr., Ind., to A. (acc.).[~98Tringa hypoleuca.]Mig. u.shores,lakes8Upper 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.1199 Greenshank,Glottis nebularius, Br., Eastern hemisphere, Florida (acc.).[~99T. nebularia.]Mig. r.shores,lakes14Face, 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.
94 Oriental Whimbrel(Australian), Jack-Curlew, Mayfowl,N. variegatus, E. Sib., Japan to A., T. =vt. Eur. Whimbrel.
Mig. r.river,swamp15
Brown mottled; chin, abdomen white; tail barred brown, white; arched bill 3in.; f., sim. Crabs, shellfish, worms.
11
95 Little Whimbrel,Mesoscolopax minutus, E. Sib., Mongolia, Japan to A.[~95Numenius minutus.]
Mig. v.r.swamps12
Upper blackish-brown much marked and spotted buff; under, line past eye buff; arched bill 1.7in. Insects, worms.
25
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.[~96Limosa baueri.]
Mig. c.shores15
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 calledL. melanuroides.[~97L. melanuroides.]
Mig. v.r.shallow lakes16
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.
12
98 Common Sandpiper, Summer Snipe,Tringoides hypoleucus, Eur. (Br.), N. Asia, Afr., Ind., to A. (acc.).[~98Tringa hypoleuca.]
Mig. u.shores,lakes8
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.
11
99 Greenshank,Glottis nebularius, Br., Eastern hemisphere, Florida (acc.).[~99T. nebularia.]
Mig. r.shores,lakes14
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.
100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 - click to enlarge
11100 Sanderling,Calidris arenaria(leucophoea, Am.O.U.), cos. exc. Pacific Is.[~100Arenaria leucophaea.]Mig. v.r.sandy shores,swamps7.5Crown, 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."25101 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.[~101Erolia ruficollis.]Mig. flocks c.shores6.2Upper 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.15102*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.[~102E. aurita.]Mig. r.coast8.5Upper dark-brown marked gray; crown faint rufous; wing-quills dark-brown; face, under whitish, breast brownish; f., smaller. Small water-animals.11103 Curlew-Sandpiper, Pygmy Curlew, Curlew-Stint,Ancylochilus subarquatus(Erolia ferruginea, Am.O.U.), A., T., N.Z., almost cos. exc. Pac. Is.[~103E. ferruginea.]Mig. flocks r.shore8.5Upper grayish-brown; eyebrow, rump, under white, chest tinged brown; bill 1.5 in., black, arched; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.22104 Knot, Knot-Snipe,Tringa canutus, almost cos., A., T., N.Z.[~104Canutus canutus.]Mig. r.tidal mud flats9Upper 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.[~105C. magnus.]Mig. v.r.shore11.5Crown, 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.
11
100 Sanderling,Calidris arenaria(leucophoea, Am.O.U.), cos. exc. Pacific Is.[~100Arenaria leucophaea.]
Mig. v.r.sandy shores,swamps7.5
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."
25
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.[~101Erolia ruficollis.]
Mig. flocks c.shores6.2
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.
15
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.[~102E. aurita.]
Mig. r.coast8.5
Upper dark-brown marked gray; crown faint rufous; wing-quills dark-brown; face, under whitish, breast brownish; f., smaller. Small water-animals.
11
103 Curlew-Sandpiper, Pygmy Curlew, Curlew-Stint,Ancylochilus subarquatus(Erolia ferruginea, Am.O.U.), A., T., N.Z., almost cos. exc. Pac. Is.[~103E. ferruginea.]
Mig. flocks r.shore8.5
Upper grayish-brown; eyebrow, rump, under white, chest tinged brown; bill 1.5 in., black, arched; brighter in far north; f., sim. Insects, worms.
22
104 Knot, Knot-Snipe,Tringa canutus, almost cos., A., T., N.Z.[~104Canutus canutus.]
Mig. r.tidal mud flats9
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.[~105C. magnus.]
Mig. v.r.shore11.5
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, 107, 108, 109, 110 - click to enlarge
106*Australian Snipe(Japanese, Latham), Jack Snipe, Bleater, Long-bill,Gallinago australis, Jap., Formosa, to A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Snipe.Mig. c.swamps9.5Richly 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.13107*Australian-Painted Snipe, Australian Rhynchaea,Rostratula australis, A.Mig. v.r.grassy,bush9.5Beautiful 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.11108 Australian Pratincole, Swallow-Plover,Stiltia isabella, Borneo, Java to A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Pratincole.Mig. v.r.(interior) rivers,marshes9.5Upper, 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.11109*Southern Stone-Curlew(-Plover) Willaroo, Scrub Curlew,Burhinus grallarius, A., T. (acc.).Stat. c.sandy plains,timber20.5Crown, 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)E15110 Australian Bustard, Wild Turkey (e),Eupodotis australis, A.[~110Choriotis australis.]Mig. r.plains48Crown black; face, neck grayish-white; upper, wings brown; wings spotted black-white; black band on chest; abdomen white; f., smaller. Seeds, grass, lizards, insects.
106*Australian Snipe(Japanese, Latham), Jack Snipe, Bleater, Long-bill,Gallinago australis, Jap., Formosa, to A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Snipe.
Mig. c.swamps9.5
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.
13
107*Australian-Painted Snipe, Australian Rhynchaea,Rostratula australis, A.
Mig. v.r.grassy,bush9.5
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.
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108 Australian Pratincole, Swallow-Plover,Stiltia isabella, Borneo, Java to A., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Pratincole.
Mig. v.r.(interior) rivers,marshes9.5
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.
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109*Southern Stone-Curlew(-Plover) Willaroo, Scrub Curlew,Burhinus grallarius, A., T. (acc.).
Stat. c.sandy plains,timber20.5
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
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110 Australian Bustard, Wild Turkey (e),Eupodotis australis, A.[~110Choriotis australis.]
Mig. r.plains48
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 "quadrilleparties," "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.
111, 112, 113, 114, 115 - click to enlarge
ORDER XI.—GRUIFORMES.F. 43. GRUIDAE (1), CRANES, 19 sp.—1(1)A., 8(2)O., 9(1)P., 7(5)E., 3(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl.13111 Australian Crane, Native Companion, Brolga,Antigone australasiana, A.[~111Mathewsia rubicunda.]Nom. r.plains42Deep silvery-gray; wing-quills black; naked red patch about face, throat; legs, feet black; f., smaller. Insects, lizards, bulbous roots, seeds.F. 44.Aramidae, Courlans, Limpkin, 2 sp.—1(0)Nc.,F. 45.Rhinochetidae, Kagu, 1 sp. A. (N. Cal.).F. 46.Mesoenatidae, 1 sp. E. (Madagascar).F. 47.Eurypygidae, Sun-bitterns, 2 sp. Nl.F. 48.Psophiidae, Trumpeters, 7 sp. Nl.F. 49.Cariamidae, Seriema, Saria, 2 sp. Nl.
F. 43. GRUIDAE (1), CRANES, 19 sp.—1(1)A., 8(2)O., 9(1)P., 7(5)E., 3(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl.
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111 Australian Crane, Native Companion, Brolga,Antigone australasiana, A.[~111Mathewsia rubicunda.]
Nom. r.plains42
Deep silvery-gray; wing-quills black; naked red patch about face, throat; legs, feet black; f., smaller. Insects, lizards, bulbous roots, seeds.
F. 44.Aramidae, Courlans, Limpkin, 2 sp.—1(0)Nc.,
F. 45.Rhinochetidae, Kagu, 1 sp. A. (N. Cal.).
F. 46.Mesoenatidae, 1 sp. E. (Madagascar).
F. 47.Eurypygidae, Sun-bitterns, 2 sp. Nl.
F. 48.Psophiidae, Trumpeters, 7 sp. Nl.
F. 49.Cariamidae, Seriema, Saria, 2 sp. Nl.