50 
AN AUSTRALIAN BlfiD BOOK. 
1 106* Australian Snipe (Japanese, Latham), Jack Snipe, 
23 Bleater, Long-bill, Gallinago australis, Jap., For- 
mosa, to A., T., N.Z. =^vt. Eur. Snipe. 
Mig. c. swamps 9.5 
Richly mottled; crown blackish with buff line along centre; 
face, chin buff; breast, washed reddish-brown; brown 
bars on flanks; back mottled brownish-black; under 
wings finely barred black, white; chestnut band on 
tail; two black lines on face; bill 2.7 in.; f., sim. 
Insects, worms. 
1 107* Australian-Pain ted Snipe, Australian Rhynchaea, Ros- 
3 tratula australis, A. Mig. v.r. grassy, bush 9.5 
avoid Birds of Prey, and so are seldom seen, though they may be 
heard calling as they pass high overhead. They are occasionally 
seen with the aid of telescopes as they pass across the face of the 
moon. 
The Pratincole, or Swallow-Plover, is a representative of an 
Old- World family. Its long wings and long legs denote a rapid 
runner and a rapid flyer, so that it has little trouble in catching 
its insect food, either in the air or on the ground. 
Our inland Stone-Curlew has a call very similar to that of the 
sea (true) Curlew, but it has a short, straight bill, instead of a 
long, arched bill. The proper name of the land Curlew is the 
Southern Stone-Curlew or Stone-Plover. It is the only Australian 
bird that seems to have the power of varying the color of its 
