82, HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
Charadriiformes. 
Sub-order Limicolae 
8.5 in. Banded Dottrel (Cirrepidesmus bicinctus). Smaller 
than New Zealand Dottrel. Zone of black and broad band 
of chestnut conspicuous on white underparts. In winter the 
two bands are brown, also black band on the foreneck. 
10.5 in. New Zealand Dottrel (Pluviorhyncus obscurus). 
Underparts pale chestnut, no black band. Larger than 
Banded Dottrel. In winter underparts pure white with bands 
of brown on the breast. 
9 in. Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Very rare. Breast 
black and white, head black and white. Summer tortoise- 
shell colouring on rump. White bar on wing. Winter duller 
and darker. Habit of turning over pebbles, short red legs. 
10 in. Knot (Tringa or Canutus canutus). Distinguished 
from Turnstone by absence of dark marking on throat and 
upper breast. Very rare in New Zealand. 
18 in. Godwit (Limosa novaezealandiae or Vetola lapponica) . 
Long turned up bill. Commonly known as Snipe or Curlew. 
8 in. Wrybilled Plover (Anarhynchus frontalis). Not 
eommon, peculiar bill curved to the right side. Differs from 
New Zealand Dottrel when flushed, as remains until within 
20 yards; then rises noiselessly and flies right away. 
9 in. Lesser Golden Plover or Spotted Plover (Charadrius 
dominicus or Pluvialis dominicus). Rare, but said to be 
regular visitor. Blackish brown colouring spotted yellow, 
underparts yellowish white. 
OYSTERCATCHERS 
18 in. Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). 
Bright colouring. Black and white plumage. Known as Sea 
Magpie. 
19 in. Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus vunicolor). 
Larger than Pied Oystercatcher. Distinguished from it by 
black plumage, also less gregarious. 
STILTS 
14 in. White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus). 
Greenish black colouring. Yaps like small dog. Underparts 
white. 
