124 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



"The eggs are similar to those of the Pied Oyster-catcher, but 

 are larger in size, darker in the ground colour, and the character 

 of the markings as a rule is not so uniformly roundish in shape " 

 (A. J. Campbell). 



Breeding Season. — August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Coast of Tasmania, a number of 

 islands in Bass Strait, and Australia ; also New Zealand. 



Observations. — This species is generally to be seen in company 

 Vv-ith the preceding one, but there are some islets in Bass Strait 

 where the Black Oyster-catcher is the only species seen. In its 

 economy it is a counterpart of the Pied species. During 

 the breeding season it moves in j^airs, at other times in small 

 bands. Very rarely does one see it further inland than the 

 extreme edge of the rocks, where it will allow itself to be splashed 

 time and again by the rollers without moving out of the reach of 

 tlic water. Even when flying from one part to another of the 

 rocky shore of its haunts, it prefers Hying over the water to taking 

 a short cut inshore. Its sharp cry is usually uttered when on the 

 wing, but someti»ies when at rest, especially should danger 

 threaten. When with eggs or young, many strange antics are 

 performed in an endeavour to entice intruders away. In general 

 disposition the bird is very shy. 



Sub- Family — Lobivanellinae. 



SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 



(Lobivanellus lobatus, Lath.) 



Male. — Oown of the head black, also back of the neck, and 

 extending backwards to meet a broader band across the hind-neck 

 as far as a black patch on the sides of the upper breast; back of 

 the neck and rump brown, tinged with olive; sides of the rump and 

 upper tail coverts white; tail white, with a broad band of black 

 at the tip, the outer feathers tipped on extreme ends with 

 white ; wing coverts like the back ; primaries, coverts, and quills 

 black ; lores, sides of face, and ear coverts, as well as the entire 

 under surface, white, including the under wing coverts and 

 axillaries; bill pale yellow, tip darker; legs and feet purphsh- 

 red; wattles yellow. Dimensions in mm.: — Length, 380; bill, 

 34; wing, 247; tail, 104; tarsus, 7.5. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Young. — "Collar round the neck and underneatli part white; 

 forehead, crown of the head, rest of upper surface mottled black 

 and brownish-grey " (A. J. Campbell). 



Nest. — No proper nest is constructed, but the eggs laid in a 

 depression in the ground by the side of a swamp or the edge of 

 marshy country; on occasions a few dead stalks are placed in the 

 nesting hollow. 



