288 FKI.TOHYATIN.K. 



young. Another nest was found on the 3rd May, with two eggs in an advanced stage of 

 incubation. These eggs were deposited on the loose dry earth on high ground, which they 

 closely resembled in colour. On the 13th May he found a nest containing three eggs on the 

 point of hatching, which were not covered with sticks. He shot the old bird. 



Mr. Kobt. Grant handed nie the following notes: — " I have shot the Australian Dotterel on 

 a little sand-spit in the Darling River, between the wool-wash and Bourke, and also out on the 

 plains in the neighbourhood of the latter place. Once on the road between Byrock and Cobar, 

 I flushed a flock of five or six from amongst some stunted Salt-bush growing out on the plains, 

 one of which fell to the discharge of my gun. These are the only localities I have met with this 

 species." 



Hr. \V. Macgilli\ray wrote as follows from Brok'en Mill, South-western New South Wales: — 

 " Piltoliyas niisli'iilis is common throughout Western New South Wales, frequenting the ironstone 

 gravel and sandy plains where the scanty vegetation offers no impediment to the free use of their 

 legs, and at the same time provides a sufficiency of insect life and seed for their wants. They 

 are gregarious for the greater part of the year, and even during the breeding season the young 

 are to be seen running with many older birds, so soon as the feathers replace the down which 

 clothes them on hatching ; the young birds do not attain their full plumage until a year after 

 hatching, when the black pectoral band makes its appearance for the first time. They are easily 

 kept in captivity if provided with a sulhcient run, and will live on seed alone, just as they do in 

 a state of nature in dry seasons, when there is little or no insect life, but always enough fallen 

 seed awaiting the next rainfall. The nest is hardly worthy of the name, a slight depression in 

 the ground, surrounded by a few stones or pieces of dried earth. liggs are usually laid from 

 June until September." 



From Melbourne, Victoria, Mr. G. A. Keartland wrote me as follows : — "Whilst most 

 species of Dotterel choose the water's edge for their nesting-place, the Australian Dotterel 

 is found far inland, and lays its eggs on the bare open plain, often far from any known 

 water. During the journey of the Horn Scientific lixpedition through Central Australia, I 

 found several of these birds which had been killed through flying against the telegraph wire. 

 Whilst crossing a tableland near the West Macdonnell Range, we found a clutch of eggs on the 

 track of the camels. They were picked up by Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, who was walking, 

 and the whole of the team had stepped over the eggs without injuring them. I frequently saw 

 single birds in North-western Australia, but have never seen them in flocks. I have received 

 eggs taken in Iviverina." 



Dr. A. M. Morgan wrote as follows from Adelaide, South AustmVia.:—" Pcltohyas aiistralis is 

 very common on the tablelands about Mount Gunson, generally in small flocks up to ten in 

 number. When sitting down, or when their backs are turned towards the observer, they are 

 very difficult to pick out, but when facing one the black mark on the head is very conspicuous. 

 A clutch of three fresh eggs collected for me were taken on the 14th August, igio, near Gibson's 

 Camp, about sixty miles north-west of Port Augusta." 



In July, 1901, Dr. A. Chenery wrote me as follows from Port Augusta, South Australia; — 

 "After rain in February there has been an early breeding season in the north-west. At Arcoona 

 Station, one hundred and forty miles from here, I saw Eudi'omias anstralis, with young, on the 3rd 

 April, 1901." 



From Western Australia Mr. Tom Carter sent the following notes: — " PcUoliyas ansiralis 

 was only observed on one occasion by me, when a pair, male and female, were shot on the open 

 flat between the Minilya and Lyndon Rivers, North-western Australia, on the 8th July, 1902. 

 There were several other of the birds about, and they were very tame. They were evidently 

 breeding, as there were well developed eggs in the oviduct of the female." 



