EGGS OF CHARADRIID^. 435 



(3) 3-o7 X 2-58. The eggs, excepting for their larger size, much 

 resemble in character those of the more common red- capped 

 dottrel f^^. ruficapilla). 



Observations — I well remember the last time we celebrated as a 

 public holiday the anniversary of the Proclamation of the New 

 Constitvition of Victoria. It was on November 23rd. 1884. I was on 

 my way with another field naturalist to the mutton-bird fPuJfinus) 

 " rookery " on Cape Willomai, Phillip Island. While rounding a 

 little sheltered cove on that island we flushed a hooded dottrel from 

 its nest on the shining sand. The nest contained the full comple- 

 ment — three eggs, beautiful and fresh. 



During the visit of the Field Naturalists' Club to King Island 

 (1887) Ave could not sufficiently admire the graceful movements of 

 these elegant dottrels, as they merrily tripped over the sandy 

 beaches. Gould informs us that the hooded dottrel lays two eggs, 

 but twice during the expedition did we find three in a nest. The 

 eggs are by no means readily discovered, being speckled like the 

 sand whereon they are placed. 



The bneding months are from September to January, the 

 principal month being Noveuuber. 



iEGIALITIS NIGRIFEONS. 

 Black-Fronted Dottrel. 



Figure — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol. vi., pi. 20. 



Ramsay^ s Tab. List — u3^gialitis nigrifrons, Cuv. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848); 

 also Hbdk., vol. II., p. 233 (1865). Harting : Proc. Zool. Soc, 

 p. 459, with fig. (1874). Ramsay: Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 336 

 (1877). 



Geographical Distribution — Australia in general. 



Nest—T\ie usual slight hollow in a pebbly river bed, or on a 

 sandy ridge near water. 



Eggs — Clutch, 3 ; with the points placed inwards; pyriform in 

 shape, with thin, fine texture of shell ; ground color, of a beautiful 

 light stone or yellowish-buff, A^ery closely and curiously marked 

 over almost the whole surface, with minute specs and short 

 angular lines of umber running into or crossing each other — 

 intermingled are a number of dull grejish markings. Under a 

 magnifying glass such letters as an undefined Z or K and other 

 hieroglyphics ma}' be discovered among the umber-colored lines. 

 Dimensions of a clutch in centimetres— ( 1 ) 292 x 2-17; (2) 2-93 

 X 2-06; (3) 2-76 x2-13. 



Another type of specimens is lighter in general color and more 

 of a spotted nature, with the angular mar-kings smudged, while 

 .the obscure greyish markings are more blotchy. (1) 3"06 x 2'1 

 xim. ; (2) 2-83 x 2-04 cm. ' , 



