THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
256 
mania; also occurs in New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk 
Island. 
notes. Usually in small flocks, arriving from New Zealand during 
March or April, departing in October; occasionally odd pairs have 
been recorded during the summer months. It frequents chiefly sea¬ 
shores and adjoining salt marshes, and is often in the company of the 
Red-capped Dotterel. The call-note is a piping whistle, “Twit, twit”. 
Food: insects, worms, and small crustaceans. An adult in winter 
plumage lacks the black markings on the head and the chestnut and 
black bands on the lower throat and breast. 
nest. A depression in the gravel or shingle of a river-flat. 
eggs. Three, greenish-brown, profusely sprinkled with dark brown 
markings. Breeding-season: August and September to December. 
(Breeds in New Zealand, but not in Australia.) 
9. Hooded Dotterel Charadrius cucallatus Vieillot 
cu-cul-ld'-tus— L., cucallatus, hooded. 
distribution. Southern Australia and Tasmania. 
notes. Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting seashores. It 
is generally seen running along sandy beaches just clear of the waves, 
or among the debris left by the tides. It is an active bird and appears 
to be always on the move. Food: marine insects. 
nest. A depression in the sand just above the tide mark and usually 
among shingly stones, shells, or seaweed. 
eggs. Two or three, pale stone colour, covered all over, but more 
so at the larger end, with purplish-black and lavender markings. 
Breeding-season: September or October to January. 
10. Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus Gould 
E-ryth'-ro-gon'-ys—Gk, erythros, red; Gk, gonys, knee; cinc'-tus— L., 
cinctus , banded. 
distribution. Australia generally (except the coastal areas). 
notes. Also called Sandpiper. Usually in pairs or small flocks, fre¬ 
quenting the margins of swamps, lagoons, dams, and river-flats; it is 
seldom observed far from water. It is always on the move, constantly 
running backwards and forwards, then stopping suddenly to stand 
erect, or, with a quick jabbing thrust, striking at the ground in pursuit 
of its food, which consists of insects, worms, and small crustaceans. 
nest. A slight depression in the ground, occasionally in exposed 
situations in the damp soil close to water, at other times among stones 
some distance from water or in the shelter of a small bush or clump 
of grass. 
eggs. Usually four, varying from cream to light creamy-brown, 
covered more or less with a network of fine wavy lines and irregular¬ 
shaped freckles, spots, and blotches of black. Breeding-season: October 
to December. 
