7i 
Black Oyster-Catcher or Black Curlew (Haeniatofius ater). 
Page 62. The Black Curlew is scarcer and less noisy than the Black 
and White Curlew (pages 63 and 64). The eggs are laid later also, 
and . not much is done in the way of building a nest. A typical 
nesting place is shown on page 62, the pinkish-white eggs with dark 
brown markings being laid in a very slight depression in the dry 
kelp, just above the high water line. But for their red bills and pink 
legs and feet these birds would often remain unnoticed while standing 
on the shore among stones and kelp, as they have no white in their 
plumage. 
Pied Oyster-Catcher (Haewatotus leucofius). Pages 63 and 
64. This bird is also known as the Black and White Curlew. It 
may be seen and heard in large numbers, except in the breeding 
season. The Curlews go about in flocks, as many as fifty or sixty 
feeding on the beaches in shallow water or pools. When disturbed 
they all rise together uttering their shrill dismal cry. They differ 
from the Black Curlew in having the breast and back part of the 
wing white. Their eggs are found towards the end of September, 
and any time in October. The nest on page 63 was on a small 
island, a few feet above the beach in a slight hollow of the tussac 
bog, lined with dry tussac. More often they deposit their eggs on 
the beach itself, among dry kelp, or in the open on pebbles, with no 
attempt at a nest. The two eggs have brown markings on various 
shades of green. Curlews are very noisy at nesting tune, they run 
along with their tails erect and bills nearly touching the ground. 
They not only object to the presence of human beings in the breeding 
season, but may often be seen chasing and bullying Sea Hens, 
Hawks, and Gulls, which they evidently suspect of having designs 
on their eggs or young. 
GtAitfiAL 
2 7 J Ah 1975 ; 
LfBRARY a 
