212 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



The Dotterel. — Tuturiwhatu. 

 Ocliihodromns ohscurus. 



Above, brown; below rufous. Forehead, chin, and under tail coverts, 

 white. In the winter the i;nder parts are pure white, with a band of 

 brown on the breast. Eye, blackish brown. Length of the wing, 

 6.5 in.; of the tarsus, 1.6 in. Egg — Brownish yellow, spotted and 

 blotched with black; length, 1.75 in. Both Islands. 



The dotterel is another bird that has had to beat a retreat 

 l^efore civilisation. At one time it was fonnd on the Canterbury 

 Plains, bnt it has now gone np into the mountains of the back 

 country. It is described as an excellent game bird, and one of its 

 principal characteristics is the artful manner in which it 

 endeavours to protect its young from danger. No description, 

 Mr. Potts says, can do justice to its contrivances for misleading 

 an intruder. Swift runs, short flights hither and thither, ^vith 

 the click, clicking call resounding again and again, often 

 effectually puzzle the disappointed collector, and lead him astray. 

 Some well-grassed land, in a situation that affords plenty of 

 insect life, such as crane-flies and grasshoppers, is generally 

 selected as a fitting place for a nest. The structure is very slight, 

 and may easily escape observation. A few grass bents are twisted 

 into a rounded shape in a slight hollow in the ground, and the 

 whole is put together so loosely that it is difficult to pick it up 

 and at the same time preserve its form. There are three eggs, and 

 they fill the nest. The young leave the nest almost immediately 

 after hatching, and accompany the parents on their rambles in 

 search of food. 



The Banded Dotterel. — Pohowera. 

 Oclitlwdrotnus hicinctus. 



Above, gi'eyish brown; the forehead, white, margined above and below 

 with black; a black line from the gape through the eye down the side of 

 the neck. Below, white, with a band of black on the breast, and another 

 of chestnut on the upper abdomen. In the winter the two bands on the 

 lower surface and the black band on the fore neck are brown. Eye, dark 

 blown. Length of the wing, 5 in.; of the tarsus, 1.25 in. Egg — Greenish 

 grey, speckled with black; length, 1..35in. Australia, Tasmania, Lord 

 Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Zealand, and the Cliatluim Islands. 



