1877.] NORTH-EASTERN QUEENSLAND. 339 
is so in collections made in New South Wales. I found large 
flocks of Sandpipers, and among them a few of this species, on the 
extensive mud-fiats at the mouths of the Mary and Fitzroy rivers, 
and had ample opportunities of watching their habits while stranded 
in a boat, high and dry, about the middle of an extensive mud-flat, 
thirty miles long by six miles wide. I spent the best part of a day 
in this position, waiting for the return of the tide, and, per force, 
amused myself watching the different species of Waders and Gulls, 
many of which came within a few yards of our boat. 
216. GALLINAGO AUSTRALIS. 
Gallinago australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 271. 
The Australian Snipe affords good shooting to the sportsman 
during the season. There were not many of this species in the 
Herbert district during my visit; but the few we obtained were 
among the finest and largest I have ever met with. 
217. RayNcH#ZA AUSTRALIS. 
Rhynchea australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 274. 
That this species occasionally visits the districts near Rockingham 
Bay is proved by some fine specimens having been shot and skinned 
by Inspector Johnstone. These were procured a short time prior to 
my visit, and were still in his possession at the time of my sojourn 
under his hospitable roof. 
The Painted Snipe is by no means a common bird; and although 
during an occasional very wet season this species may be obtained 
in tolerable numbers, yet its visits are very uncertain and few and 
far between. In New South Wales I have obtained specimens from 
the Clarence river and Lake George; but nowhere have I ever 
found it plentiful. 
218. NuMENIUS CYANOPUS. 
Numenius cyanopus, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 277. 
Common everywhere in suitable places and muddy flats along the 
coast, and occasionally may be found on the margins of lakes and 
lagoons inland a considerable distance. 
219. NUMENIUS UROPYGIALIS. 
Numenius uropygialis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. 1. p. 279. 
220. NUMENIUS MINOR. 
Numenius minor, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 280. 
I observed these species but once during my tour ; and, under the 
same circumstances, I trust I shall not meet them again. Mud-flats 
are very interesting in their way, especially to the naturalist; but 
there can be too much of a good thing. Both species are dispersed 
rather plentifully over the whole of the southern and eastern portions 
of Australia ; and I have received one specimen of NV. minor from the 
Lower Darling river, shot on the margins of some of the numerous 
inland lakes. 
22* 
