260 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
19. Curlew-sandpiper Erolia testacea Vroeg 
tes-ta'-ce-a— L., testaceus, relating to tiles, i.e., in colour pattern. 
distribution. Northern Siberia, migrating southwards to Africa, 
Australia and Tasmania; accidental to New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Pygmy Curlew, Curlew-stint, and Curlew-sand¬ 
piper. Usually in small flocks, frequenting the seashores and adjacent 
marshes. This species has been recorded in Australia during almost 
every month of the year. It procures its food on sandy or muddy 
shores and flats, usually making its appearance on the feeding-grounds 
as the tide begins to fall, and following it outwards. At high tide it 
departs for higher ground or adjacent marshes, where it rests until 
the ebb commences again. Food: small crustaceans and worms. 
nest. A depression in the ground. 
eggs. Four, pale greenish-grey, spotted and blotched with rich deep 
rufous-brown markings and with a few underlying spots of purplish- 
grey. Breeding-season: June (northern Siberia). 
20. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Erolia acuminata Horsfield 
ac-u'-min-a'-ta— L., acuminatus, pointed, referring to the tail-feathers. 
distribution. North-eastern Siberia and Alaska, migrating south¬ 
wards to British Columbia, Hawaii, Australia, Tasmania, and New 
Zealand. 
notes. Also called Sharp-tailed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Siberian 
Sandpiper, Asiatic Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Marsh Tringa. 
Usually in flocks, arriving in southern Australia during September, 
departing in April or May. It frequents margins of salt marshes, mud 
and sandflats of inlets and rivers, and occasionally sea beaches; at 
times it is plentiful in inland areas on the banks of swamps, rivers, 
and dams. When flushed, it rises swiftly, and flies rapidly with an 
occasional turn; it also has the towering flight of Snipe. Its call-note is 
a piping whistle. Food: aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and worms. 
nest. Not recorded. 
eggs. Not recorded. Breeds in the north-eastern part of Asia—so 
far as known, in north-eastern Siberia, migrating southwards during 
the northern winter to New Guinea, Tonga Islands, Australia, Lord 
Howe Island and New Zealand. 
21. Grey Plover Squatarola squatarola Linn£ 
Squat-ar'-o-la— N.L., and Italian for this plover. 
distribution. Arctic regions, migrating to Peru, Brazil, Africa, 
Australia, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Black-bellied Plover, Grey Sandpiper, and May- 
cock. Usually singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, arriving in Australia 
during September, departing in March or April. It frequents chiefly 
the seashore and contiguous salt marshes or grassy flats; this species is 
