224 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Nest . — A depression in the ground. 
Eggs. — Three or four, pale stone colour, blotched all over, but more 
so on the larger end, with dark purplish-red spots and underlying markings 
of lavender. Breeding-season: May and June (Japan). 
14. Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago megala Swinhoe 
meg'-al-a — Gk, rnegas ( megalos ), large. 
Distribution . — Eastern Siberia, migrating southwards to the Malay 
Archipelago to New Guinea and northern Australia. 
Notes . — Also called Large Pin-tailed Snipe and Little Australian 
Snipe. Usually in flocks, arriving in Australia during September or 
October, departing in March or April. It frequents moist, marshy coun- 
try and swamps, and is similar in habits to the Australian Snipe. 
Nest. — A depression in the ground, lined with grass. 
Eggs . — Four, creamy-white or pale ochre, spotted with pale reddish- 
brown on the smaller end and dark reddish-brown on the larger end, with 
dots and stripes on the rest of the surface. Breeding-season : June. 
15. Painted Snipe Rostratula australis Gould 
Ros-tra-tu-la — L., rostratulus, diminutive of rostratus, beaked : australis 
—southern (Australian). 
Distribution . — Australia (except central Australia) and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Australian Painted Snipe and Australian 
Rhynchsea. Usually in pairs, frequenting the margins of swamps and 
streams, more especially those covered with low and stunted vegetation. It 
is partly nomadic, generally arriving in New South Wales during Septem- 
ber or October, remaining to breed, and departing again in February or 
March. Occasionally odd pairs remain in a locality throughout the year. 
When flushed, it flies close to the ground, making for the nearest cover, 
and is then exceedingly difficult to flush again. Food : insects and worms. 
The female is larger and brighter in colour than the male, especially on 
the wings, and also differs in having the hind-neck chestnut. 
Nest . — A shallow depression in the ground, lined with grass or leaves, 
and frequently sheltered by a low bush or tuft of grass. 
Eggs . — Four, creamy- white or dull yellowish-stone, covered with 
short thick streaks and irregular-shaped spots and blotches of black, with 
which are intermingled a few spots of brown, brownish-black, and under- 
lying markings of grey. Breeding-season: October to January. 
16. Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis Vroeg 
Po -di-ceps — an abbreviation of Podicipes — L., podex ( podicis ), rump; 
L pes } foot : ru-fi-coll'-is — L., rufus, red, L., collutn , neck. 
Distribution . — Eastern hemisphere, Australia, Tasmania, and New 
Caledonia. 
Notes . — Also called Black-throated Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Dab- 
chick, and White-bellied Diver. Usually in pairs or small parties, fre- 
quenting still waters of lakes, swampy lagoons, and dams. It is generally 
