McGlLF — Eudromais auftralis (Anvtralian hvltrd). 49 



Eudromais australis (Australian Dottrel). 



(By .1. Neil McGilp. R.A.O.U.). 



Having resided for many years in the inland of South Aus- 

 tralia, I have had a great opportunity of observing the Ausira 

 liun Dottrel in its homeland; for this bird loves to roam on the 

 dry, open plains in our Far Northern country. 



During dry times, which, unfortunately, occur all too 

 frequently in the interior of our island-continent, the Dottrel 

 is found scattered about in small flocks of four or five in 

 number, but after a break-up of a drought this species con- 

 gregates in large numbers, frequently by the hundreds, for a 

 few weeks. The breeding season follows closely upon a good 

 rainfall, when these birds are usually noted in pairs. They 

 often nest very closely to each other, on favoured patches of 

 country. 



Tbis species has the usual dottrel-like habit of running a 

 few paces, then standing with its body motionless, but with an 

 occasional upward jerk of the head; after standing for a few 

 .seconds, the bird will again run on a few yards, and repeat the- 

 neck-jerking motion. I have never observed this species run 

 more than a few yards without this peculiar action. The 



Australian Dottrel does not fly readily, preferring rather to 

 run out of one's way and stand with its back towards the dis- 

 turber, in which position it is very hard to observe, on account 

 of its protective coloring. I have on many occasions noted a 

 single bird and, thinking she might be breeding, got out of the 

 motor or trap to hunt for a likely nest, only to And that when 

 disturbed, dozens of these birds started to run from within a 

 hundred yards or so of where my conveyance stood. 



This splendid little bird does great work for mankind, being 

 a great enemy to grubs and grasshoppers, and devours an 

 immense quantity of these pests as it feeds by night as well as 

 by day. T know this foi- a fact, for I have, with the assistance 

 of the motor headlights, watched them at work on a thick patch 

 of grasshoppers. At the first showing of the lights, the birds 

 remained perfectly still, but after a few minutes began to feed 

 about. At the slightest noise, all would stand bolt upright, 

 till everything seemed safe again. 



The Australian Dottrel will often squat down f)n the 

 ground, and remain in this position for a considerable time, and 

 one often passes them close by without their moving. Evidently 



