238 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD FOWL 



markings of pale brown and ink-grey. They are pyriform in shape and measure 

 on an average 1'85 inch in length by 1'3 inch in breadth. Wolley remarked that 

 the parent bird sat closely, although its white rump was very conspicuous as it 

 brooded over the eggs with its long neck drawn in. When flushed it either ran 

 for a little way before taking wing or flew into the air at once, and wheeled round 

 and round, uttering its note at intervals ; but sometimes it perched on the top of 

 a tree near by. As soon as the young were hatched he found that the old bird 

 became even more demonstrative, sometimes standing close to him, snapping its 

 bill and nodding its head. Although it sits so closely it is said to be very wary 

 in returning to its nest. One brood only is reared in the season, and as soon as 

 the young are hatched they are conducted to the neighbouring marshes by their 

 parents. 



Diagnostic characters.— Totomts, with the secondaries white, barred 

 on both webs with grey. In breeding plumage the head, neck, and underparts 

 are very dark slate-grey. Length, 12 to 13 inches. 



