I 76 Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. [ 7 ,h"|an. 



hot north-east winds. A most extraordinary sight of these birds was in the 

 great heat wave of 30th and 31st December, 1895, as mentioned in Mr. 

 A J. Campbell's " Nests and Eggs," p. 792, when for miles the beach was 

 lined with them, either migrating, or, as I now think, more probably driven 

 to the water line by the intense heat. On 15th March, 1892, great flocks 

 of these birds were on the salt-marshes in almost full breeding plumage, 

 preparing for their annual flight. They were extremely fat, and, contrary 

 to their usual custom, very shy, as usually a flock of this species will remain 

 quite stationary upon anyone approaching, and not take flight until one 

 is quite close. 



(122.) Ochthodromus geoffroyi (Large Sand-Dottrel). — Not uncommon 

 on the beach in summer, and usually seen singly. 



(123.) OCHTHODROMUS MONGOLUS (Mongolian Sand-Dottrel). — I have a 

 skin of a male, secured 28th January, 1900, which I think can only be 

 referable to this bird. It is smaller in size and the bill not so heavy as in 

 O. geoffroyi. 



(124.) .LGIALITIS RUFICAPILLA (Red-capped Dottrel). — Very rarely seen 

 on the beach at Point Cloates, but is common in mangroves near the North- 

 West Cape. A few were breeding at a flooded salt-marsh near the sea, 

 30 miles south of Point Cloates, in May, 1900. 



(125.) .LGIALITIS MELANOPS (Black-fronted Dottrel). — Occasionally seen 

 at inland pools. One was brought into the shearing shed by a tame cat, 

 and was apparently breeding on a neighbouring salt-marsh. 



(126.) PELTOHYAS AUSTRALIS (Dottrel). — These birds were only once 

 seen, viz., 8th July, 1902, when a pair (male and female) were shot on the 

 large plain between the Lyndon and Minilya Rivers. There were several 

 pairs of them, and they were very tame. The female contained well- 

 developed eggs, so they were evidently breeding, but, as usual, we had 

 to push on for water for horses and could spare no time to search for eggs. 



(127.) Himantopus leucocephalus (White-headed Stilt). — Occurs at pools 

 and swamps after heavy rains in some numbers. In 1900 scores of them 

 were breeding from 1st May to 12th September on a flooded salt-marsh, 

 30 miles south of Point Cloates, as recorded in Zoologist, July, 1901. Some 

 nests were on the ground on the small islands, others built in the tops of 

 samphire bushes growing out of the water. 



(128.) Recurvirostra nov.e-hollandi.e (Red-necked Avocet). — Not so 

 commonly seen as the preceding species. A few pairs were breeding with 

 the Stilts mentioned above, 1st May, 1900. 



(129.) NUMENIUS CYANOPUS (Curlew). — A common summer visitor, 

 arriving about the end of September. Odd birds remain all winter. Large 

 flocks were noted near the North- West Cape in July, and again in August, 

 1902, so these particular birds could hardly have time to visit the Northern 

 Hemisphere to breed. (It seems to me curious that the Whimbrel was 

 never noted, as they occur on the south coast of Australia. They probably 

 pass down the eastern coast of Continent.) 



(130.) MESOSCOLOPAX MINUTUS (Little Whimbrel). — These birds were only 

 observed when severe droughts inland drove them to the coast. In the 

 summer of 1890, when a severe drought prevailed, many were seen, 

 and some were killed by striking against wire fences. They were next 

 noticed in the drought of 1896, when many were seen and specimens 

 shot in September and October. 



(131.) Limosa nov.e-ZEALANDLE (Barred-rumped Godwit). — Occurs 



