BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
6l 
12. Stone-curlew Burhinus magnirostris Latham 
Bu-rhin'-us—G k, bu (bou ), big; Gk, rhynchos (rhugchos ), beak: mag-ni - 
ros'-tris— L., magnus , great; L., rostrum , bill. 
distribution. Australia generally, accidental to Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Stone-plover, Curlew, Thick-knee, Scrub Curlew, 
and Willaroo. Usually in pairs, frequenting open forest country, and 
plains intersected with belts of timber. Generally it is shy and cautious, 
and when disturbed, flies off as an intruder approaches. Occasionally 
it will remain quite stationary, either in an upright position, or else 
crouched near the ground, relying on its protective coloration to help 
it escape being detected. Its familiar call, “Ker-Ioo” or “Koo-loo”, is 
weird and melancholy, and is mostly uttered after nightfall, when the 
bird is dancing, especially on moonlight nights. Food: insects and 
their larvae. 
NEST. None, the eggs being deposited in a slight depression in the 
grass or on the bare ground. 
eggs. Usually two, varying greatly in the ground-colour; typical 
eggs are light yellowish-stone or yellowish-grey, more or less obscured 
with spots and blotches of light brown, dull umber, and some under¬ 
lying markings of inky-grey. Breeding-season: August to January. 
