136 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



somewhat coarse ; surface lustreless ; colour a shade of deep stone, 

 or stone colour with an olive tinge, moderately marked over the 

 surface with blotches and large spots, mostly roundish in form, 

 of dark brown; also some duller markings of a slaty-chocolate 

 appear under the shell's surface. Dimensions in inches of a 

 clutch: (1) 2.04 x 1.34, (2) 2.03 x 1.4, (3) 1.92 x 1.28" (A. J. 

 Campbell). 



Breeding Season. September to December. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania, Australia in general; 

 also New Zealand. 



Observations. This species cannot be said to be a regular 

 visitor to our shores, and when it does come it is in small numbers 

 only. In appearance it greatly resembles a Stilt, but its bill is 

 very much upturned. The Avocet frequents the shores of lakes 

 and estuaries. 



Speaking of the European representative of this species, Mr. 

 Seebohm says: " Like the Stilt, the Avocet haunts the margins 

 of the water, running daintily along the wet, shining sands, or 

 exploring the black mud-banks in the shallow lakes. It is not 

 particularly shy, but if alarmed will mount into the air, its long 

 legs stretching behind in a line with its bill, and fly round and 

 round, uttering its alarm note, which resembles the syllables 

 'Tut, tut, tu-it, tu-it.' If one of the birds is wounded its com- 

 panions fly round overhead, incessantly uttering their notes, as if 

 bewailing its fate. At all seasons of the year the Avocet is sociable, 

 and may be observed in large or small parties. It is a very beautiful 

 sight to watch a party of these birds, when their nesting grounds 

 are invaded, daintily run along before ypu, their 5 brilliant 

 plumage contrasting strongly with the mud or sand. . . . 

 The food of the Avocet is captured principally on the mud and in 

 marshy places. It is chiefly composed of worms, small crusta- 

 ceans, and vast quantities of aquatic insects. Their prey is 

 searched for as the bird moves its long, slender bill from side to 

 side across the surface of the sand or mud, or in the shallows. The 

 Avocet never appears to probe in the soft ground with its bill, but 

 always uses it in a side direction. A small quantity of gravel is 

 swallowed to aid digestion. Sometimes the bird captures the little 

 gnats and other insects as they flutter over the water, or flit by on 

 the land." 



Sub- Family Totaninae . 



*CURLEW 



(Numenius cyanopus, Vieill.) 



Male. The whole of the upper and lower surfaces are varying 

 shades of brown and greyish-buff, heavily striated with dark 

 brown; legs bluish lead colour. Dimensions in mm.: Length, 

 530; bill, 177; wing, 305; tail, 110; tarsus, 83. 



