510 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
number this is very noticeable; neither does the egg of any other 
native bird resemble them. In length they usually measure about 
one inch four lines, with a breadth of rather more than an inch. 
Years ago, below the gorge of the Rakaia, I almost might be said to 
live amongst them at breeding time, and when sleighing driftwood 
had abundant opportunities of observing their quaint ways. The 
parent-birds are seldom seen far apart; if disturbed they trot off at a 
fast pace, partially opening the wings, which gives a broad flattened 
appearance across the back; if distressed by too close an approach to 
the eggs, they utter a low purring sound, carrying the head low, the 
bill pointing downwards, just clearing the ground. The young 
endeavour to escape observation by dropping down close to stones, 
&c , and they may be readily passed over, as their colour so well matches 
the pebbles round about them. When frightened they utter a shrill 
piping cry, and if closely pressed take to the water; they can swim 
well. They are clothed with freckled grey down, under surface a 
silky white; wings pale brownish. On the authority of persons living 
in the district it is said that these old breeding-places are now almost 
entirely deserted. I have seen the nest as far west as the upper 
Rangitata, above the gorge, near the junction of the Potts river. 
Gcnus—Hematopus. 
66. Hematopus longirosétris, Vieill. 
Pied Oyster-catcher, Red-bill, Torea—Years ago, before the 
harbours and estuaries were so much frequented, this shore bird was 
excecdingly abundant; in June, 1858, on the mudflats at the estuary 
formed by the Heathcote and Avon rivers, thousands of these birds 
were to be observed, As late as 1871 there were large flocks on the 
mudflats at Port Cooper. It usually breeds on sandy spits in river- 
beds; sometimes as far as sixty miles back from the sea, near to 
Browning’s Pass; it lays one, two, or three eggs screened by any little 
drift that may be near: the old birds fend off a harrier with great. 
courage, they display remarkable stealthiness in quitting the eggs, so 
as not to draw attention to the nest. The eggs are very handsome, 
ovoid, rarely oval; buff or stone-colour, marked over with round-edged 
blotches of umber brown, indistinct marks of purplish grey; stone- 
colour, with large irregular blotches of deep rich brown edged with 
chestnut brown arranged rather obliquely, with a few small marks of 
greyish; pale creamy brown, with blotches and bold splashes of 
bronzy brown, blackish brown and purplish grey; yellowish buff, 
marked abundantly over the surface generally with chestnut and 
blackish brown and small spots of indistinct purplish; deep stone- 
colour, with an irregular zone above the bilge of large blotches of 
blackish brown edged with chestnut; yellowish brown, with the 
surface covered generally with angular marks or streaks of brown and 
purplish grey; greyish white, with small marks of reddish brown, 
chestnut, and dark brown; stone-colour, with a faint greenish tint, 
marked with irregularly-shaped blotches and streaks of umber brown 
and greyish purple; white, freely marked with dark brown splashes 
and blotches of indistinct purplish grey, as if beneath the surface; 
white, with small rounded marks and dots of chestnut-brown and 
purple grey; white, with a few splashes of umber brown, purplish 
brown, and greyish purple. Length two inches three lines, breadth 
