96 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
panion of the Little Stint. From the month of 
September, when the Waders begin to reappear in 
large numbers on the Salt Works water-paddocks, 
until their northward flight in the following autumn, 
it is not uncommon to see a crowd of birds feeding 
together on the mud, about half each of Little Stints 
and Curlew Sandpipers. At the same time, this is a 
less widely distributed species than the Sharp-tailed 
Stint, which it closely resembles when in flight. For, 
as I mentioned, the Sharp-tailed Stint is found 
wherever there are swamps, and likes those with a 
growth of grass ; the Curlew Sandpiper I have never 
seen except in the vicinity of the Salt Works, and 
there some at least remain all through the year, not 
mere occasional individual stragglers, but small flocks 
of up to a dozen. One was shot on July 1st, 191 1 
(it was in company with several others), and another 
(also from a small flock) on June 2nd, 191 2. Both 
were in winter plumage (ashy brown, white on under 
parts), with no trace of the rich rufous on the breast 
which the species exhibits in its summer dress. 
In the Geelong Museum there are two examples 
of this bird, one in nearly full summer plumage and 
one showing a trace of rufous colouring. Upon the 
analogy of what occurs with other species, these would 
probably have been birds either just arrived or just 
about to depart — i.e, either September or April birds. 
If you listen on almost any clear, flne, and windless 
night in the month of September, you may hear the 
call of birds passing overhead — ^Waders these certainly, 
