AUCYLOCHILUS SUB ARQU ATUS. 



CURLEW SANDPIPER. Genus: Aucylochilus. 



THIS bird is not so widely distributed as the two previous ones, though it is found in most quarters. 

 In the same way it is thinly dispersed and most wayward in its location, never being met with for 

 a certainty at any stated times or places. Shingly beaches and estuaries are its favourite resorts. The 

 seasonal changes of plumage from wintry grey to summer red is more striking in this species than in any 

 other. 



In summer the upper surface is deep rufous ; wings, dark greyish-brown ; upper tail coverts, 

 white ; tail, grey, barred with black and rufous ; head, mottled black and white ; all the under surface 

 deep rufous ; bill and legs, black, slightly tinged with olive ; irides, dark brown. 



In winter the rump is white, the remainder of the upper surface greyish-brown ; under surface, 

 white, except the chest, which is slightly tinged with grey. 



Young birds differ from both in having the upper surface greyish-brown, each feather fringed 

 with grey, and a wash of brown across the chest. ( (xould ). 



Habitats : Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Wide Bay District, 

 Richmond and Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, West and 

 South-west Australia, south coast of New Guinea. 



