THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
the end of April, but it is no uncommon thing for a few individuals to remain 
right through the winter.”* 
“Through the summer they are here in large numbers, but during the 
winter months they are practically absentees, being represented by only 
irregular visits of odd birds and small parties, which latter never remain any 
time. During the winter of 1902 they were, I think, quite absent. In April 
they leave us, returning again after middle of August. During the past two 
years I have found eggs or youngsters from December to February. ”t 
“ During the summer S. Isabella is here [Richmond District, North 
Queensland] in large numbers, but in April a big exodus of the dainty courser 
takes place, for which purpose the birds gather in large numbers ; thence 
throughout the winter they are represented by the irregular visits of two or 
three individuals, while now and again a small invasion takes place, forty or 
fifty suddenly showing up, but they are birds of passage, and only remain 
a few hours. The date of their return to us varies one year with another. 
It usually takes place in September or October. This year, for some reason of 
which I cannot suggest any explanation, they are, as I write (12th November, 
1906), practically total absentees, though the winter has been very mild and 
the season is one of abundance. 
“ A few very early nests may be found in September, and these I have no 
doubt belong to some of the old pairs of Pratincoles that have remained with 
us through the winter. The main nesting season does not commence till 
October or November, and lasts till February. Chicks in the down may be 
seen in March, but they will be hatched in the previous month. The latest 
date on which I have actually found eggs is 8th February. They make no 
nest, the eggs being laid on the bare ground without any excavation or 
depression, but the sitting bird relieves the monotony of its task by getting 
such fragments of dried vegetation as are within reach, and arranging them 
round the eggs. The eggs are very hard to find, and the little chicks in the 
down are still harder, for they not only have their protective colouring, but 
they are very smart in seeking shelter and making the most of it, on what 
is practically bare ground, tucking themselves away into the impression of 
a beast’s hoof made during the wet, or crouching close against a small lump 
of earth that is not as big as themselves ; or again, should there be no refuse 
on the surface, they do not hesitate to go down the gaping cracks in the 
groimd, with which the parched downs are reticulated. 
The bird figured and described is a male collected at Alexandra, Northern 
Territory, on December 10th, 1905, by the late WiUiam Stalker. 
* Bemey, Emu, Vol. IL, p. 212, 1903. ■» 
f id., ib., Vol. IV., p. 46, 1904. 
} id., ib., Vol. VI., p. 110, 1907. 
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