266 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



quently seen in company with the Whimbrel, Curlew, and 

 Oyster-catcher. 



It is sometimes seen in small flocks, of from seven to ten 

 in number, but more frequently in pairs. 



Like many other members of the family to which it belongs, 

 this bird is subject to considerable change in its plumage, 

 being much darker and more blotched and spotted during 

 the breeding-season than at any other. 



Face, all the under surface, rump, and tail pure white ; the 

 sides of the breast streaked with dark brown, and the tail 

 barred on the margins and freckled with dark blackish 

 brown ; crown of the head and back of the neck grey, 

 streaked down the centre with dark brown ; shoulders and 

 primaries very dark brown, the outer quill with a pure white 

 shaft ; the remainder of the upper surface light brown, each 

 feather margined with grey, with a streak of dark brown 

 down the centre, and a series of oblong spots on the margins 

 of the same hue ; bill dark olive ; irides black ; feet and legs 

 deep olive-green. 



The sexes differ so little in colour that dissection must be 

 resorted to, to distinguish one from the other. 



The above is the description of the plumage of summer ; in 

 winter the colouring is similar, but much paler, and the dark 

 spots almost obsolete. 



Genus TOTANUS, Bechstein. 



Of this genus one species is all that has yet been discovered 

 in Australia, and this I regard as identical with the Totanus 

 stagnatilis of Europe ; and, if this view be correct, then the 

 range of the species will extend from Asia to Australia; 

 certain it is, that I have seen specimens, which are strictly 

 identical with the European bird, from all the intermediate 

 countries. J 



