BIRDS OF THE SHORES AND RIVER MARGINS 
255 
Notes. — Usually in flocks, arriving in Australia during September, 
departing in March. It frequents the seashore and adjoining salt marshes, 
also swampy areas inland. Like most of the Waders, its flight is swift 
and often erratic, and characterized by zigzag turns in all directions. 
When at rest it stands erect and motionless. It is extremely timid and 
wary, and when disturbed utters a sharp whistling note. Food: insects, 
worms, and small crustaceans. An adult in winter plumage differs in the 
almost entire absence of chestnut and black on the fore-neck, chest, and 
sides of breast. 
Nest. — Not recorded. 
Eggs. — Not recorded. 
7. Mongolian Sand-dotterel Charadrius mongolus Pallas 
mongolus — Mongolian. 
Distribution .—Siberia, migrating southwards to Australia (except 
southern Australia). 
Notes. — Usually in flocks, arriving in Australia during September, 
departing in March. It frequents alike salt marshes and swampy areas 
inland. Little has been recorded of its habits and economy while on its 
annual visits to Australia. Its call-note is a clear, penetrating “Drrrrut/’ 
An adult in winter plumage lacks the cinnamon-rufous on the head and 
hind-neck, and the rufous and black bands on the fore-neck. 
Nest. — “A slight hollow in the ground. Lined with leaves and stems 
of Angelica archangelica /'—Stegneger. 
Eggs. —Three, cream-buff to clay colour; spotted, less numerously 
at the smaller end, with markings of irregular size, chief!) of clove-brown, 
bistre, and even as light as wood-brown. The lighter markings are gener¬ 
ally rather obscure, appearing as if embedded in the shell or as though 
laid on before the ground colour. Breeding-season : June (Siberia). 
8. Double-banded Dotterel Charadrius bicinctus Jardine and Selby 
bi-cinc-tus —L., bicinctus, twice banded. 
Distribution. — Australia (except northern Australia) and Tasmania; 
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 seashores 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. A 11 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.) 
