THE ZooLoGist—JuNE, 1875. 4485 
Masked Plover (Thinornis Nove-Zealandie, Gray).—In the 
summer months this gay-looking plover affects sandy beaches of 
the sea-shore. Near to the outfall of a river seems a favourite 
place of resort; there débris carried down the stream, and cast 
on the bank by the opposing tides, affords shelter to numerous 
insects on which the masked plover delights to feed. To those 
who are acquainted with our Charadrie, the Thinornis must 
seem to have much in its ways that is common to C. bicinctus,— 
as, for instance, there is a marked similarity in the style of flight, 
in the notes and calls; the clicking alarm-cry whilst on the wing 
is common to both birds. The masked plover is said to be rare. 
In the Catalogue of the New Zealand exhibits in the Vienna 
Exhibition, 1873, this bird is marked “very rare.” It is not 
unlikely that the idea of its reputed rarity has arisen rather from 
the lack of close observation than from the scarcity of the species. 
Wary, active and bold, it watches every movement of the intruder 
on its feeding-ground with attention; it evinces uneasiness by 
flying in wide circuits at no great height. On alighting it often 
runs a few yards, covering the ground with rapidity. Advantage 
is taken of any high ground for a look-out. When employed in 
watching the head is frequently moved up and down; when all 
appears quiet the search for food is resumed amongst the drift- 
wood, sticks, and sun-dried Alge that mark the limits of the 
highest tide. “Tuturautu,” the name given to it by the natives, is 
expressive of the call-note; perhaps an idea of its sound could 
scarcely be better rendered. The alarm-cry is like “ click, click,” 
repeated rather fast three or four times; after a brief pause the 
warning is again sounded. The male has a bright orange-coloured 
bill, which sets off its handsome plumage to advantage; the female 
has its colours distributed in much the same way as her mate, but 
these are far less conspicuous in tone. Dull, smudgy brown, in 
unobtrusive tints, lends security to the brooding bird. 
Note.—December 31. Watched three pairs near the mouth of 
the Waikawa River, Otago. A single pair was first seen, but their 
alarm-note brought the other couples from some distance along 
shore; these latter, after a brief but wary inspection, departed. 
From the screen formed by the crest of a sand-dune the birds were 
watched; they were most probably breeding. At the slightest 
change of position on the part of the observer both plovers left off 
their food-search, and made a restless circuit that brought the 
SECOND SERIES—VOL, X. 2F 
