EGGS OF CHARADRIID^. 429 



from their nest. Some species are more demonstrative tiian others, 

 but I think the greatest mimic of all is undoubtedly the sooty 

 oyster-catcher, for, according to Sir Walter Buller, if its j'oung be 

 approached it will not only feign lameness, but roll and tumble on 

 its back as if in the throes of mortal agony in order to attract 

 attention whilst the downy chicks make good their escape by 

 taking to rock pools, diving under the projecting ledges, and 

 hiding themselves in the crevices till all danger be overpast. 



LOBIVAXELLUS LOBATUS. 

 "Wattled Plover. 

 - Fiffiire— Gould : Birds of Australia, fob, vol. vi., pi. 9. 



Ramsay'' s Tab. List — Lobivanellus lohatus. Lath. 



Previous Descriptions of Eygs — Kamsay : Ibis, vol. iii., new 

 ser., with fig. (1867). Harting : Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 458 (1874). 

 Campbell: Southern Science llecord (1883). 



Geogriiphical Distribution — Queensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and intermediate islands. 



Nesl — Merely a hollow on a little knoll or grassy plot, usually 

 surrounded by water near the margin of a swamp. The nesting 

 hollow is sometimes bare ; in other instances lined with a few grass 

 stalks. 



Egys — Clutch, 3-5, but usually 4 ; always deposited with points 

 turned inwards ; elegant in shape, inclined to be or arc pyriform ; 

 shell, of fine texture ; ground color, rich warmish green, boldly 

 blotched or splashed all over with olive of different shades; dimen- 

 sions in centimetres — (1) 5-1 x 3-5, (2) 5*0 x 3-55; also of a set 

 taken by Mr. Dudley Le Souef in the mallee district — (^1) 5-2 x 

 3-67, (2) 5-1 X 3-6, (3) 4-94 x 3-7. 



Ohserviitions — While the smaller black-breasted plover affects the 

 barest parts of plains this exceedingly showy bird loves localities of 

 a swampy nature, and its disposition is much the shyer of the two 

 species, yet when called upon to defend its eggs or young the wattled 

 plover is bold and courageous, attacking crows and animals long 

 before they reach the nest by making sudden swoops upon and 

 fairly screaming at them. On occasions, like many others of the 

 race, this plover mimics actions of distress for the express purpose 

 of diverting attention from its nest or yoimg. Mr. Lau, on the 

 Queensland Downs, has watched sitting birds disturbed by the 

 approach of cattle or sheep. The bird does not quit its charge, but 

 furiously flaps its wings and comjDels the animals to turn aside. 

 Dr. Kamsay says it will even fly in the face of an animal in order 

 to produce the desired effect. 



Breeding months from the end of August to January. According 

 to the wet season in the various localities, there are probably two 

 broods reared in a season. 



