Vo1 1926 IV ’ ] HOGAN, Birds of Willis Island 273 
(12) LAND-RAIL ( Hypotcunidia philippensis ). 
It was difficult to estimate the number of Land-Rails on the 
island. Some lived in the vicinity of the huts and became com¬ 
paratively tame, running inside in search of crumbs; but others 
frequented the other parts of the island, and were far from 
tame, as they darted off quickly at the least cause for alarm. 
Early in November, 1922, I came across a Rail’s nest containing 
two eggs among a pile of boxes, while it was evident that an¬ 
other nest existed under the corner of the living quarters. The 
Rails were often seen emerging from the burrows of Mutton- 
Birds, and in these, I should say, were their chief nesting-places. 
About the middle of January, 1923, two rather large young birds 
were observed on different occasions darting quickly through the 
grass. The Rails were very quarrelsome , among themselves, 
particularly when feeding; they were very useful in cleaning up 
the scraps put out for them. Always numerous about the huts 
in the daytime, they were never seen after dark, but they were 
astir at the first sign of dawn. 
During the 1923-4 season, the first young bird was seen on 
February 11th. It was black, and not more than a few 
days old. For the remainder of the month 1 often noticed a 
young bird following its parent through the grass. 
(13) EASTERN GOLDEN PLOVER ( Pluvialis dominions). 
The Golden Plovers were seen chiefly on the beaches and on 
the exposed rocks on the eastern side, when the tide was low. 
There they found their food, for they ran along the edge of the 
watr picking among the sand after each wave washed the beach, 
while at low tide they waded in the shallow water in search of 
food. A single bird was often seen on the higher part of the 
island during December, 1922, and towards the end of the year 
a few of them came quite close to the house. From then on, 
two or three Plovers were generally mixed with the Land-Rails, 
which frequented the open space in front of our living quarters, 
and fed on scraps, etc. 
On returning to the island in November, 1923, I found that 
several Plovers frequented the hut’s surroundings, and even went 
inside for crumbs. Their habits were similar to those observed 
during the previous season; they were seen chiefly on the beaches 
and exposed reef platform. Two or three of them throughout 
the season fed with the Land-Rails, but they were more timid 
than the quarrelsome Rails and had often to seek safety from 
them in flight. 
There were perhaps two dozen Plovers all told. 
(14) TURNSTONE ( Arenaria inter pres). 
Not more than a dozen Turnstones frequented the island 
during both seasons. Their habits were similar to those of the 
Golden Plover in that they were seen on the beaches and exposed 
reef platform in search of food; but unlike the Plovers they 
