256 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Usually in small flocks, arriving from New Zealand during 
March or April, departing in October; occasionally odd pairs have been 
recorded during the summer months. It frequents chiefly seashores and 
adjoining salt marshes, and is often in the company of the Red-capped 
Dotterel. The call-note is a piping whistle, “Twit, twit.” Food: insects, 
worms, and small crustaceans. An adult in winter plumage lacks the black 
markings on the head and the chestnut and black bands on the lower throat 
and breast. 
Nest. — A depression in the gravel or shingle of a river-flat. 
Eggs. — Three, greenish-brown, profusely sprinkled with dark brown 
markings. Breeding-season: August and September to December. (Breeds 
in New Zealand, but not in Australia.) 
9. Hooded Dotterel Charadrius cucullatus Vieillot 
cu-cul-la -tus — L., cucullatus, hooded. 
Distribution. — Southern Australia and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting seashores. It 
is generally seen running along sandy beaches just clear of the waves, or 
.among the debris left by the tides. It is an active bird and appears to 
be always on the move. Food: marine insects. 
Nest. — A depression in the sand just above the tide mark and usually 
among shingly stones, shells, or seaweed. 
Eggs . — Two or three, pale stone colour, covered all over, but more 
so at the larger end, with purplish-black and lavender markings. Breeding- 
season : September or October to January. 
10. Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus Gould 
E-ryth'-ro-gon-ys — Gk, erythros, red; Gk, gonys, knee; cine -tus — L., 
cinctus, banded. 
Distribution. — Australia generally (except the coastal areas). 
Notes. — Also called Sandpiper. Usually in pairs or small flocks, fre- 
quenting the margins of swamps, lagoons, dams, and river-flats; it is 
•seldom "observed far from water. It is always on the move, constantly 
running backwards and forwards, then stopping suddenly to stand erect, 
•or, with a quick jabbing thrust, striking at the ground in pursuit of its 
food, which consists of insects, worms, and small crustaceans. 
Nest. — A slight depression in the ground, occasionally in exposed 
situations in the damp soil close to water, at other times among stones 
some distance from water or in the shelter of a small bush or clump of 
grass. 
Eggs. — Usually four, varying from cream to light creamy-brown, 
covered more or less with a network of fine wavy lines and irregular- 
shaped freckles, spots, and blotches of black. Breeding-season: October 
to December. 
