26 o 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
19. Curlew-sandpiper Erolia testacea Vroeg 
tes-ta-ce-a — L., testaccus , relating to tiles, i.e., in colour pattern. 
Distribution. — Northern Siberia, migrating southwards to Africa, 
Australia, and Tasmania; accidental to New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Pygmy Curlew, Curlew-stint, and Curley-sand- 
piper. Usually in small flocks, frequenting the seashores and adjacent 
marshes. This species has been recorded in Australia during almost every 
month of the year. It procures its food on sandy or muddy shores and 
flats, usually making its appearance on the feeding-grounds as the tide 
begins to fall, and following it outwards. At high tide it departs for 
higher ground or adjacent marshes, where it rests until the ebb commences 
again. Food: small crustaceans and worms. 
Nest. — A depression in the ground. 
Eggs. — Four, pale greenish-grey, spotted and blotched with rich deep 
rufous-brown markings and with a few underlying spots of purplish-grey. 
Breeding-season: June (northern Siberia). 
20. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Erolia acuminata Horsfield 
ac-u-mm-a-ta — L., acurninatus , pointed, referring to the tail-feathers. 
Distribution. — North-eastern Siberia and Alaska, migrating south- 
wards to British Columbia, Hawaii, Australia, Tasmania, and New 
Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Sharp-tailed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Siberian 
Sandpiper, Asiatic Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Marsh Tringa. 
Usually in flocks, arriving in southern Australia during September, depart- 
ing in April or May. It frequents margins of salt marshes, mud and sand- 
flats of inlets and rivers, and occasionally sea beaches; at times it is plenti- 
ful in inland areas on the banks of swamps, rivers, and dams. When 
flushed, it rises swiftly, and flies rapidly with an occasional turn; it also 
has the towering flight of Snipe. Its call-note is a piping whistle. Food: 
aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and worms. 
Nest . — Not recorded. 
Eggs . — Not recorded. Breeds in the north-eastern part of Asia — so 
far as known, in north-eastern Siberia, migrating southwards during the 
northern winter to New Guinea, Tonga Islands, Australia, Lord Howe 
Island and New Zealand. 
21. Grey Plover Squatarola squatarola Linne 
Squat-ar-o-la — N.L. and Italian for this plover. 
Distribution. — Arctic regions, migrating to Peru, Brazil, Africa, 
Australia, and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Black-bellied Plover, Grey Sandpiper, and May- 
cock. Usually singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, arriving in Australia 
during September, departing in March or April. It frequents chiefly the 
seashore and contiguous salt marshes or grassy flats ; this species is very 
