316 



LIMICOLjE. 



inches long) ; but the lower back and rump scarcely differ in colour 

 from the tipper back. 



Figures : Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, pi. 66 

 (the description applies to the preceding species) . 



The Australian Curlew is a summer visitor to the Japanese Islands. 

 There are three examples in the Swinhoe collection from Hakodadi 

 (Swinhoe, Ibis, 1876, p. 334), and five in the Pryer collection from 

 Yokohama. 



The Australian Curlew breeds in Eastern Siberia and winters in 

 Australia. 



317. NUMENIUS PHiEOPUS. 

 (COMMON WHIMBREL.) 



Scolojpax ph(sopua, Linneua, Syst. Nat. i. p. 243 (1766). 



The Eastern form of the Common Whimbrel completely inter- 

 grades with the Western or typical form, and was described as 

 distinct as long ago as 1786, under the name of Tantalus variegatus 

 (Scopoli, Del. Fl. Faun. Ins. ii. p. 92). 



Nunienius phsopus. 



The Eastern form of the Common Whimbrel is a small bird (tarsus 

 about 2^ inches), with the lower back much paler in colour than the 



