456 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
examples obtained at the North Barnard Islands in December, 
1882. Its plumage, too, as far as I can remember, is slightly 
different, though this may perhaps be due to its youth. 
Northern Swamp Quail, Synotcus cervinus, Gould.— These 
little birds were tolerably plentiful lying in the high grass, but 
were difficult to flush, and generally allowed themselves to be 
almost trodden upon before they rose. Eight couples were 
bagged, and double that number might have been obtained had 
I had the services of a good steady retriever. Unless I marked 
the exact spot where the bird fell, and ran to it at once, it was 
almost certain to be lost, as they were so difficult to find in the 
thick grass. They usually rose five or six at a time, but it was 
quite out of the question firing a double shot, as one of the birds 
would certainly have been lost. They varied a good deal in size, 
but I think I am right in referring them to the above species. 
They were excellent eating. 
Long-billed Oystercatcher, Hematopus longirostris, Vieill.— 
There were several small flocks of these handsome birds. They 
looked very conspicuous when flying among a host of other shore 
birds. One I shot was a remarkably fine heavy specimen. 
Grey Plover, Squatarola helvetica, Linn.— Common. 
Eastern Golden Plover, Charadrius orientalis, Temm. & Schleg. 
—Numerous. This is decidedly much smaller than the European 
species, and by no means such a delicately-flavoured bird. All 
those that I have eaten have been obtained upon the sea-shore, 
or upon coral reefs, where the nature of their food probably 
imparts a fishy flavour to their flesh. 
Red-capped Dotterel, Zgialitis ruficapillus, Temm.—Common. 
Mongolian Dotterel, 42. mongolicus, Pallas; inornatus, Gould, 
—This beautiful little Plover, with its bright rufous head and 
rufous band across the chest, was plentiful and conspicuous 
among the other species. [A&. inornatus, Gould, is this bird in 
winter plumage.—Ep.] 
Australian Godwit, Limosa uropygialis, Gould.—Very near 
the European Bar-tailed Godwit. 
Curlew Sandpiper, Tinga subarquata, Temm.—Common, and 
in breeding plumage. 
Australian Little Stint, 7’. albescens, Temm.—A few seen. 
Knot, 7’. canutus, Linn.—Several shot, in breeding plumage. 
Greenshank‘ Totanus canescens, Gmel.—Common. 
