FAUNA OF THE MONTE BELLO ISLANDS. 637 
14. BRUCHIGAVIA NOVE-HOLLANDLE LONGIROsSTRIs. Silver Gull. 
B. longirostris Masters, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W., vol. ii. 
pe flsy lsat 
The range of the form extends from 8.W. to N.W. Australia. 
Around the Monte Bello Islands it is not abundant ; the whole of 
the north-western region is, in fact, remarkable for the comparative 
scarcity of sea-birds, in spite of the existence of extensive flats and 
shallows which ought to furnish an abundant food-supply. 
A few old nests, apparently of this species, were found upon 
Long Island and several of the outlying rocks, and the 
breeding-season is said by the pearlers to be in December and 
January. The nesting-time of the gulls varies enormously and 
individually upon the various island groups around the West 
Australian coast, occurring, it would appear, any time between 
October and April. 
15. H#®MATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS. 
Fairly numerous around the sandy shores and mud-flats, 
feeding in small parties, often in company with the next species. 
16. H#MATOPUS UNICOLOR OPHTHALMICUS. 
The Montebello Sooty Oystercatcher is the bird described as 
above, distinguished from H. w. berniert by the bare orange-red 
space around the eyes. It is really a North Australian bird, 
and the Monte Bello Islands must be near the southern limit of 
its range, H. w. berniert being the typical West Australian form. 
17. EKupopa Georrroyi. 201. Large Sand Dottrel. 
Charadrius geoffroyi Wagler, Syst. Av., Charadr. sp. 19, 1827 ; 
Java. 
The distribution is from Southern Siberia southwards to 
Australia, where it occurs during summer, and in the northern 
part of which it has often been taken in full breeding plumage. 
Observed in small numbers, usually feeding in company ‘with 
EH. mongolus and C. ruficupillus on the tidal flats of Hermite, 
throughout June, July, and August. The specimen obtained 
was shot on July 9th. 
3d: wing 133mm.; culmen 23; tarsus 33. 
Bill dark brown; iris brown; feet dark brown, claws black. 
18. EKupropa Moncouus. 202. Mongolian Sand Dottrel. 
Charadrius mongolus Pallas, Reise Russ. Reichs, vol. ii. 
p. 700, 1776 ; Mongolia. 
The same remarks apply as to the former species. 
@: wing 129 mm.; culmen 17:5; tarsus 30. 
19. CHARADRIUS RUFICAPILLUS TORMENTI Mathews. 205. Pale 
Red-capped Dottrel. 
Specimens agree with the above pale subspecies described by 
44* 
