226 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
eggs. Four, very pale yellow, sometimes shading to a greenish tint, 
covered all over (but more so on the larger end, where they often 
form an irregular zone) with spots of deep brown or coffee-brown, and 
underlying markings of grey. Breeding-season: June (Siberia). 
20. White-headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus Gould 
Hi-mant'-o-pus— Gk, himantopous , water-bird: leuc-o-ceph'-al-us— Gk, 
leucos, white; Gk, cephale , head. 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania; also occurs in Sumbawa, 
Timor, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Lord Howe Island, and New 
Zealand. 
notes. Also called Pied Stilt, Longshanks, Stilt-bird, and Long- 
legged Plover. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting shallow lakes, 
swamps, and tidal flats. It often associates with the Red-necked 
Avocet and other Waders. The call-note of this species is not unlike 
the bark of a small dog. Food: aquatic animals and plants. 
nest. Either a slight hollow in the mud at the water’s edge, or a 
compact structure, composed of dried aquatic plants, built in a swamp. 
It usually breeds in colonies, but the nests are scattered along the 
margins of the lakes or swamps. 
eggs. Four, greenish-stone, covered with irregular-shaped spots and 
blotches of dark purplish-brown, and smaller underlying markings of 
lavender. Breeding-season: August to December. 
21. Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Vieillot 
Clad-o-rhynch'-us—G k, clados, curving branch; Gk, rhynchos, beak: 
leuc-o-ceph'-al-us— Gk, leucos , white; Gk, cephale , head. 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania; accidental to New Zea¬ 
land. 
notes. Also called Rottnest Snipe. Usually in pairs or flocks, 
frequenting lakes, swamps, the margins of streams, and tidal flats. 
It is very similar in habits and economy to the White-headed Stilt, 
except that it seems to prefer salt lakes and salt-water to fresh. 
nest. A slight depression in the ground. Like Terns, it breeds in 
compact colonies. The two recorded breeding-areas are Lake Grace 
(Western Australia) and Lake Callabonna (South Australia). 
eggs. Two to four, dull white or faintly tinged with cream, covered 
with a tangle of irregular, twisted, and interlacing lines of black or 
brown, and underlying markings of grey; some eggs are marked with 
blotches and large spots, while others are almost unmarked. Breeding- 
season: July and December are the only months recorded. 
22. Red-necked Avocet Recunnrostra novce-hollanduv VieHlot 
Re-curv'-i-ros'-tra—L., reeuwus , turned back; L., rostrum , bill: novee- 
hollanditf —of New Holland. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; accidental to 
New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Cobbler, Cobbler’s Awl, Painted Lady, Scooper, 
Trumpeter, and Yclper. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting lakes, 
