BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND IN ORDER OF SIZE 43 
to be confounded with Avocet, of bigger size, bright soe af eS 
ing, and upturned bill. Charadriiformes. rf ¢ 
L- 
14.5 in. Forster’s Shearwater or The Shearwater (Pufinis(*-°” 
gavia). Head brownish black, throat white. Upper parts ~ 
brownish black. Under parts white, thighs brown. Legs 
outer edge dark brown. Inner edge lighter. Toes webbed. 
Fly close to water with rapid fluttering wing beats, in flocks. 
Zig-zag course, all appearing to turn at same time, alternately 
showing light then dark. Haunts, seas off the coasts and 
open bays. Rest often on the surface in flocks, and fly ina 
long string close to the water. Swim with ease and dive 
freely. Scatter at night. Distinguished by fluttering flight, 
when the white patch on the thighs always shows conspicu- 
ously. Alternately rise and descend obliquely with out- 
stretched wings on water when feeding, ie., shearing. Cry 
of ‘‘paka-ha-a.’’ Larger than Gould’s Shearwater. Procel- 
lariiformes. finds 
14.5 in. Mackerel or Red-bified Gull or Kittiwake (Bruchi- 
gavia novaehollandiae). Head white, bill red. Upper parts 
pale ash grey, first and second quills black, large spot of 
white near tips. Under parts white. Legs red. Flight 
lively and swift. Haunts, coasts and inland. Very frequent 
on pastures in the far north. Runs well. Habit of associating 
with Oystercatchers and Black-backed Gull. ( Charadrii- 
, ar re: . 
formes. ) fa--4e~ 
15 in. Black Stilt. (Himantopus novaezelandiae). Head 
brownish black inclining slate grey on face, brown mandible. 
Irides crimson. Upper parts glossy greenish black. Under 
parts brownish black. Legs pinky red. Fly trailing legs 
behind very clumsily. Haunts, river courses, never far from 
water; prefer dry shingle to lagoons. Run well, associating 
in pairs. On wing bark like dog; distinguished from other 
Stilts by darker plumage and shorter legs, being less gre- 
garious. Charadriiformes. s nar 
15 in. Black-billed Gull (Bruchigavia melanorhyncha). 
‘Bill black. Upper parts white with pearl grey back and 
wings. First three quills white margined black. Young 
mottled brown. Under parts white. Legs red. Flight rapid. 
Haunts, rivers and lakes, rarely coasts. Movements active. 
Not to be confounded with young of Mackerel Gull, which 
have deep red bill practically black. Pursue moths amongst 
grass and sedges. Differ from Red-billed, having bill and, 
first three primaries black. Rare. (Charadriiformes. ) pe yer"~ 
15 in. Long-winged Fulmar, Great-winged-or Grey-faced 
Petrel. (Oestralata macroptera or Pterodréma macroptera). 
Head dark brown, greyish about face and throat. Upper 
parts brownish black. Under parts brown. Legs black. 
