262 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
24. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Linne 
Itm-ds'-a — L., limosus, marshy. 
Distribution. — Northern Europe and northern Asia, migrating south- 
wards to northern Africa, India, Australia, and Tasmania; accidental to 
New Zealand. 
Notes. — Usually singly, in pairs, or very small flocks, arriving in 
Australia during October, departing in March or April. It frequents 
chiefly mud and sand-flats near the entrance of inlets or rivers and the 
margins of shallow salt marshes; it is generally in the company of the 
Bar-tailed Godwit — a species very similar to its black-tailed relative. The 
latter, however, has a more upright carriage, longer legs, and white lower 
rump. In habits and economy it resembles the Bar-tailed Godwit, but is 
much rarer than that species. 
Nest. — A depression in the grass. 
Eggs. — Four, pale olive-green to pale yellowish, covered all over with 
small spots of a more or less olive-brown, some markings on the larger 
end being of an indistinct olive-grey to reddish-grey. Breeding-season: 
June? and July (northern Europe and northern Asia). 
25. Curlew Numenius cyanopus Vieillot 
Nu-meri-i-us — Gk, numenios, kind of curlew, from Gk, neos, new; Gk, 
mene, moon (i.e. shape of bill) : cy-an-o-pus — Gk, cyanos , blue; Gk, pous 
(pus), foot. 
Distribution. — Eastern Siberia, migrating southwards to Australia 
and Tasmania; accidental to New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Sea-curlew, Australian Curlew, and Curlew- 
whelp. Usually in flocks, arriving in Australia during September, depart- 
ing in March or April; odd birds, however, remain throughout the year. 
It frequents sea beaches or mud and sand-flats near the entrance of inlets 
and rivers. At all times it is exceptionally timid and wary, generally 
keeping far out on the flats or beaches. Its call resembles “Ker-loo,” 
or “Kor-lew,” and is often uttered at night or when alarmed. Food : 
small crustaceans and worms. 
Nest. — A hollow scooped in the ground, untidily lined with grass 
or leaves, and placed among low bushes or rushes; generally high, open 
ground is selected as a nesting-site. 
Eggs . — Four, dull olive-green, blotched and spotted with greenish- 
brown markings. Breeding-season: June and July (eastern Siberia). 
26. Whimbrel Numenius phceopus Linne 
phce'-o-pus — Gk, phaios , grey; Gk, pous (pus), foot. 
Distribution . — Northern Europe and northern Asia, migrating south- 
wards to Africa, Australia, and Tasmania; accidental to New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Jack Curlew, Australian Whimbrel, and May- 
fowl. Usually in flocks, arriving in Australia during September or 
October, departing in March or April. It frequents sea beaches, mud and 
