IQ8 Campbell and White, Birds on Capricorn Group, [j^f^^ec 



area as to excite wonder. A specimen was prepared, and found to 

 be an exceedingly robust form, leading the mainland type in weight 

 by many ounces. The rufous marking was rich and pronounced. 

 The bird was in splendid condition. 



Pied Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus longirostris). 

 Sooty Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus nnicolor). 



Both these well-known species were noted at intervals round the 

 islands, and were breeding, fully-fledged young and eggs both 

 being observed. The Sooty birds were scarcer and not so con- 

 fiding as the Pied variety. 

 Turnstone {Arenaria inter pres). 



A fair number of these birds was seen on the sandy beaches of 

 Mast-Head, North-West, and Tryon Islands. They appeared to 

 have just arrived, in company with other Waders, from their 

 Northern breeding haunts, and could have had but scant rest or 

 nourishment on the way down, for they were very light and- poor. 



Lesser Golden Plover {Charadrius dominicus). 



A good many of these Plovers were on the beach at Mast-Head 

 and North- West Islands when we arrived, and every day brought 

 fresh arrivals, in an exhausted state. Several of the specimens 

 taken had much of their black Siberian plumage remaining, and 

 in one instance the bird was nearly in its summer dress, its breast 

 being almost black. Plentiful also on Tryon Island. 



Common Sandpiper {Tringoides hypoleiictis). 

 Oriental Dottrel {Ochthodromus veredus). 

 Grey-rumped Sandpiper {Heteractitis brevipes). 



These three other migratory species mingled in flocks with Turn- 

 stones and Golden Plovers, and were gathered on the reefs at low 

 tide and on the strands at high water. A specimen of the 

 Grey-rumped Sandpiper was taken on shore amongst the 

 grass, evidently exhausted after a long flight. It was in good 

 plumage, but in poor condition. Soon it revived, and was set at 

 liberty. The Dottrel was identified beyond doubt at both camps 

 —Mast-Head and North-West. 



A grey-rumped Sandpiper was fairly numerous, which we could 

 only refer to the above-named species, notwithstanding the legs 

 were not so reddish in colour as some authorities describe them. 



Little Stint [Limonites ruficollis). 



These small migrants are usually seen in flocks, but two only were 

 noticed at Mast-Head Island. Drs. Macgillivray and Dobbyn 

 observed numbers further north (see page 228). 



Curlew {Numenius cyanopus). 

 Whimbrel [Numenius variegatus). 



A few Curlews were noticed on the islands. On North-West 

 Island a small flock was seen the day the expedition arrived, but, 

 being timid birds, they departed, and were not observed again. 



