Vol *i 92 fP V " ] CHURCH, Birds of Burketown, N. Qld. 291 
Tribonyx ventralis. Black-tailed Native-hen.—Saw over a dozen 
of these birds among the mangroves. I could not approach them 
closely, but the white markings cn the flank left no doubt in my mind 
as to their identity. 
Gallinula tenebrosa. Black Moor-hen.—Noted three specimens 
among the mangroves. 
Porphyrio melanotus. Eastern Swamp-hen.—I have one of these 
birds on my list. I was for seme time uncertain, but, at last, secured 
a close view. 
Fulica atra. Coot.—Several Coots nested towards the mouth of the 
river in a side creek heavily overgrown with mangroves. 
Gelochelidcn nilotica.—Gull-billed Tern.—After the flood, several 
of these graceful birds visited the “water-logged” plains and stayed 
for several days. They were very tame, and I was able to observe 
them from an old punt. 
Sterna anaethetus. Bridled Tern.—Two of these visited the town, 
and their wonderful gliding filled me with admiration. Several days 
afterwards I saw what I took to be a specimen of Sterna, fuscata 
(Sooty Tern), but owing to the distance, I was unable to gauge its 
measurements accurately. 
Icbibyx miles.* Masked Plover.—Large flocks of those very fine 
birds were always to bo seon, either on the marshy edges of the bore 
“drain,” or on the sand banks of the river. 
Pluvialis dominicus. Lesser Golden-Plover.—A large flock of these 
birds was noted by me immediately after the second rains (Dec. 
16th). They stayed on the plains only two days, and then left, flying 
m a south-easterly direction. I was surprised at this as they 
appeared to be flying towards the Cloncurry district, and not down 
the eastern coast, as I had supposed they would. 
Himantopus leucocephalus. White-headed Stilt.—A small party of 
six camped for over a week cn the bore “drain”; their peculiar antics 
when feeding very much amused me. 
Numenius cyanopus. Eastern Curlew.—I saw four of these while 
I was travelling up the river from the “Kalatina.” I judged three of 
them to be males and one a female. 1 do not know if this is unusual, 
but supposed the approach of the mating season might be responsible 
for the reversal of the usual order. 
Numerous phaeepus. Whimbrel.—I saw one of these birds in com¬ 
pany with the party of White-headed Stilts. 
Actitfs hypoleucus. Common Sandpiper.—One specimen only I 
observed on the lagoon after a very heavy “blow.” It did not remain 
long, and I have seen no others since. 
Croccthia alba. Sanderling.—Several of these were observed on 
the sand banks at the mouth of the river. The white bar on the wing 
formed the key to their identity. 
Pisobia ruficcllis. Red-necked Stint.—Many of these pretty birds 
frequented a bend of the river about 5 miles below the town. Their 
dashing flight was quite interesting, and I spent many hours follow¬ 
ing them along the bank. They left, however, after the flood, and I 
have seen only one since. 
Erolia testacea. Curlew Sandoiner.—A large number were occu¬ 
pying the sandy beach when I landed from Thursday Island. I judged 
that they had recently travelled a long distance, as manv of them 
appeared to be in a very exhausted condition. I had only this solitary 
chance of observing them, and I may easily be. mistaken. 
Calidris canutus. Knot.—Many small flocks visited the mud banks 
left by the receding waters of the flood, but none stayed more than a 
few hours. 
* Mr. Church records this species under the name . L. novx- 
hoVandix , but the southern Sour-winged Plover is not known to occur 
in North Queensland, where L. miles is common.—Editor. 
