Potts. — Birds of New Zealand. 151 



tides, affords shelter to numerous insects on which the Masked Plover delights 

 to feed. 



To those who are acquainted with our Cliaradrioi, the Thinornis mxist seem 

 to have much in its ways that is common to C. hicinctus, 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 iir 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 tip and down ; when all appears 

 quiet the search for food is resumed amongst the drift-wood, sticks, and sun- 

 dried Algae, 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 j 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 jjosition on the part of the observer both Plovers 

 left off their food search, and made a restless circuit that brought the intruder 

 into full view ; both birds showed boldness, the female alighting within three 

 yards' distance of the writer, near enough for the colour of the irides to be 

 distinguished. It is probable that the female has been described under the 

 name of T. rossi. 



No. 85.— Ortygometra affinis. Gray. 



Weighs one and a quarter ounces. 



No. 86. — Ortygometra tabuensis, Gml. 



We have the egg of this widely-distributed Rail from a salt-marsh near 



