GRALLATORES. 247 



flocks of from six to twenty in number, which, by their pic- 

 turesque appearance as they ran along the margin and knee- 

 deep in the shallows of the stream, added greatly to the beauty 

 of the scene. This part of the Mokai was one of the most in- 

 teresting localities I visited in New South Wales ; I encamped 

 on its banks for some time, and had no difficulty in obtaining 

 as many specimens of this fine bird as I desired. The flocks 

 were composed of both sexes, in the finest state of plumage ; 

 and I ascertained by dissection of numerous specimens that 

 the larger birds were the males. In this locality the Stilts 

 were feeding entirely on insects and small shelled snails, 

 which food was procured on the margin of the stream, or by 

 wading into the shallows : they ran about with great celerity, 

 displaying many graceful, lively actions ; their flight on the 

 contraiy was heavy and inelegant, and their long legs stream- 

 ing out behind gave them a very grotesque appearance : while 

 on the wing they continually uttered a plaintive piping cry, 

 as if of distress, but which they seldom emitted when on the 

 ground. 



I was unable to obtain any information respecting the 

 nidification of this bird, or to arrive at any conclusion as to 

 its being a stationary or migratory species. It appears to 

 possess an extensive range over the continent, as besides 

 killing it myself in New South Wales, I have received speci- 

 mens both from South and Western Australia. In the neigh- 

 bourhood of Perth it is sometimes seen in company with the 

 Avocet {Recurvirostra rubricoUis), feeding upon freshwater 

 shrimps and aquatic insects. 



Back of the neck, back, and wings glossy greenish black, 

 the rest of the plumage pure white ; irides pink, margined 

 externally with a deep red ring ; bill black ; legs and feet 

 deep pink flesh-colour, becoming red after death. 



Total length 1 5 inches ; bill 2 J ; wing 8^ ; tail 3 ; tarsi 4 ; 

 naked space above the knee 2\, 



