36 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
very fussy and agitated. Croaks like frog, ‘‘Ku-ku-kia.’’ 
Procellariiformes. , 
8 in. Australian Swamp. Quail or Brown Quail (Synotcus 
australisS; Introduced. Side of throat and head dull grey. Bill 
blackish brown. Upper parts M. reddish brown on sides, dull 
grey down middle, mottled black and chestnut F. black 
under wings and patches much coarser, each feather has nar- 
row stripe of white down shaft. Under parts buff streaked 
grey. Each feather with zig-zag markings and patches of 
black, many with fine white stripe down centre. Legs flesh 
colour. Fly in small coveys short distance only. Whirr in 
rising. Very local. Chiefly throughout north of North Island. 
Sit very close on nest, run very fast, and also walk. Run like 
rats in the long grass. Very loath to fly. Distinctive feature 
closely resembles European Partridge, but much smaller, 
similar ery. Lie close until almost trodden on. Commoner 
than Tasmanian Swamp Quail. Galliformes. 
8 in. Wrybilled Plover (Anarhynchus frontalis). Crown 
dark grey, forehead and throat pure white. Upper parts dark 
grey, wing coverts lighter. Primaries dark brown, 
secondaries dusky grey. Under parts pure white. Broad 
band of black on upper breast. F. band narrower and 
smaller. Legs blackish green. Flight rapid and graceful. 
Haunts, never far from water, chiefly river beds. Swims 
and runs swiftly. Not common. Peculiar shaped bill curved 
to the right side. Differs from New Zealand Dottrel as 
when flushed remains until within 20 yards, then rises noise- 
lessly and flies right away (Mr. G. Shepherd). Charadrii- 
formes. 2 1 ft 
8.5 in. Banded Dottrel (Cirrepidesmus bicinctus). Crown 
and nape greyish brown margined black, forehead and throat 
white. Upper parts greyish brown. Under parts pure white, 
narrow zone of black. Broad band of chestnut. Legs 
yellowish grey. Rises in air very rapidly in circular course, 
birds wheel simultaneously and descend obliquely. Haunt, 
shores and inland in flocks. Run swiftly over sand, stopping 
to bob head (this movement is the same as that of the 
Rock Wren) and give cry. Smaller and more active than 
New Zealand Dottrel. Also zone of black and broad band of 
chestnut. Charadriiformes. 
8.5 in. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Introduced. Head. 
black with purple and green reflections. Under parts black 
with purple and green reflections. Upper parts the same. 
F. spotted. Young brownish. Legs reddish brown. Flight 
very rapid and well sustained, flocks often wheel and 
mancuvre in the air in regular manner. Found in settled 
districts, never in depths of bush or mountains. Walks 
