lyA Royal Australasian Ornithologists^ Union. [r^i'^T!,, 



about the same time, but the area was -very extensive to search, and 

 the birds extremely wary- I found this nest on i;th July. The 

 l:ireeding season is eyidently early. 



Squatarola helvetica. Grey Ployer. — I saw a tew Grey Ployers at 

 yarious times on the shores of Dirk Hartog. After the heayy rain- 

 storm of 5th August, which flooded the fiat at the West well, a small 

 party was feeding near my camp. On Peron Peninsula I saw a pair 

 or two near the l^ittle Lagoon. 



iEgialitis ruficapilla. Red-capped Dottrel. — .Moderately common 

 both on Peron and Dirk Hartog Island Not infrequently I saw- 

 pairs feeding on the big limestone flat on the island, where I w^as for 

 a time camped. 1 was told this species nested in some numbers at 

 Cape Peron. 



Limosa uropygialis. Barred rumped Godwit. — I watched small 

 parties of this species feeding at low water, not far from the home- 

 stead on Dirk Hartog. 



Numenius cyanopus. Curlew. — A few pairs were seen, and often 

 heard calling both on Dirk Hartog and Peron Peninsula. 



Numenius uropygialis. Whimbrel. — Seen occasionally, but not so 

 common as the last-named species. 



Actitis hypoleucus. Common Sandpiper. — One or two seen to the 

 south of Dcnham. and again around the shores of the Little Lagoon. 



Glottis nebularius. Greenshank. — A small party seen on Dirk 

 Hartog Island. 



Pisobia ruficoUis. Little Stint. — The commonest wader on the 

 shores of Shark Bay. 



Pisobia acuminata. Sharp-tailed Stint. — A few seen in company 

 with Little Stints at low water. 



Ancylochilus subarquatus. Curlew Sandpiper. — Mr.^T. Carter in- 

 cludes this species in his list. I think I saw it at the Little Lagoon 

 on Peron Peninsula. 



Burhinus grallaiius. Stone-Curlew. — I encountered this species on 

 Dirk Hartog only, where pairs appeared to ocK:upy all suitable haunts. 

 Had I camped on Peron no doubt I should haye heard it there too. 

 At the West well camp a pair haunted a hillside about half a mile 

 away during the day time. More than once I saw them quietly stealing 

 away amongst the innumerable bushes. I think they originally 

 intended to nest on a limestone ridge out of sight of my camp ; but 

 a pair of Crows built a nest in a clump of eucalypts growing there. 

 This appeared to drive them to another limestone outcrop within 

 sight of my camp. They were often very near, after sunset, when 

 feeding on the flat. 4th August was persistently wet, and I had to 

 remain at home. In the afternoon my attention was attracted by 

 a fine Harrier beating the hillside opposite. When hovering over 

 the limestone ridge it made a swoop at something on the ground. 

 This was followed by angry cries, and presently a male and female 

 Stone-Curlew rose up. The male soon settled again, and the Harrier 

 cleared off ; but the female flew in a wide circle for several minutes 

 around my'camp. The rain became heavier, and it was not till late 

 next morning I was able to wade out. I immediately made for the 

 scene of the disturbance. Both of the Curlews were there, and, on my 

 coming near, quietly disappeared amongst large Acacia bushes. 



