28 Alexander, Observations at Bremer Bay (W.A.) [isf"]i,i,. 



Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus). — A flock of about 20 of these 

 birds took up their quarters in a marshy tract of ground formed by 

 the water which percolated through the sand-hills from the Hunter 

 River. They were first seen about the end of January, and were seen 

 at the same place on every subsequent visit to it. 



Large Sand-Dottrel (Pagoa leschenaulti) (?\ — I several times saw 

 birds which I believe were of this species among flocks of Hooded 

 Dottrels on the beach, but as no specimen was obtained the record 

 must remain doubtful. 



Red-capped Dottrel (Leucopolius ruficapilhis). — Very abundant on 

 the beach, among the sand-hills, and on the sand-flats in the lower 

 parts of the estuarv. Young birds were perhaps a trifle in excess of 

 the adults: 



Hooded Dottrel {Charadrius cucullatus). — Though not so numerous 

 as the last species, these were verv common in similar localities, and 

 among them also the young were about as numerous as the adults. 



Black-fronted Dottrel (Elseya melanops). — Seen in pairs on the 

 shores of all the fresh-water lakes and swamps, and on one occasion 

 on the bank of the salt-water estuary. Judging by their habits, and 

 particularly their flight, but without any knowledge of their anatomy, 

 one would suppose that this species was a small member of the 

 Lapwing group. Its rapid, nervous movements, and the readiness 

 with which it takes to flight, contrast strongly with the somewhat 

 deliberate trot of the Ringed Plovers and their allies, and their prefer- 

 ence for running rather than flving when approached. 



Banded Stilt (Cladorhvnchus leucocephahis). — A party of about 10 

 of these birds, which are always known in Western Australia as 

 " Rottnest Snipe," from their abundance on the island of Rottnest, 

 were seen on the estuary for the first two days of our visit. 



Red-necked Avocet {Recurvirostra nov^ehollandi^e).- — A flock of about 

 20 was seen on one occasion sleeping on a muddy bank in the upper 

 part of the estuary: 



Greenshank {Glottis nebularius). — Rather numerous in the upper 

 reaches of the estuary in parties of from two to about a dozen. The}^ 

 frequented the muddy parts of the shore, on which they ran about 

 feeding, and constantly flew from one place to another. They were 

 much more wary than the other waders, and flew off uttering their 

 shrill notes when approached at all nearly, and it was only when one 

 was shot that I could be sure of their identity. 



Little Stint (Pisobia mimita^. — Very plentiful on the lower parts of 

 the estuary, feeding on the sand-flats in company with the Red-capped 

 and Hooded Dottrels. In contrast with these two species they 

 appeared to be much more diligent, as they were perpetually moving 

 about with heads down, picking up minute objects from the sand. 



Sharp-tailed Stint (Limnocinclus acuminafus^. — Fairly numerous, 

 associating in considerable flocks, and generally keeping to them- 

 selves on the more muddy flats, though sometimes mixed with the 

 Little Stints and the two species of Dottrels. 



Great Knot (Anteliotringa tenuirostris). — A solitary bird, which I 

 saw almost every day among a flock of Hooded Dottrels, puzzled me 

 considerably. LTltimately it was shot for identification, and proved 

 to be an example of this species, which, as far as I can judge from the 



