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Show 336 MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON THE BIRDS OF [Apr. 17, was; the bird may have been Lobivanelluspersonatus, but more probably L. lobatus. The cry of the latter is well known to me ; that of the former, to m y knowledge, I never heard. I have been informed by Inspector Robert Johnstone, of the Herbert River, that Spur-wing Plovers occasionally visit that district. The eggs of Lobivanellus lobatus vary from rich dark green to olive-brown, with blackish spots and blotches. 202. SARCIOPHORUS PECTORALIS. Sarciophoruspectoralis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 222. I met with this species only on one occasion, about fifty miles inland, while enjoying the hospitality of Mr. Stone, Superintendent of "The Vale of the Herbert" station, the property of Walter Scott, Esq. In the extensive and well-grassed paddocks around the station a flock of these birds had taken up their abode. Mr. Stone informed me that they remain in the neighbourhood throughout the whole year; and being seldom if ever molested, they showed no symptoms of fear, quietly remaining while I walked within a few feet of them. 203. CHARADRIUS LONGIPES. Charadrius longipes, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 225. 1 enumerate this species on the authority of Inspector Johnstone, who informs me the Golden Plover visits the Herbert district every winter. 204. JEGIALITIS NIGRIFRONS. AEgialitis nigrifrons, Cuvier; Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 232. This species is not uncommon on the Herbert river, and is found dispersed over the whole of the eastern and southern portions of Australia, even venturing far inland. I have met with it high up on the Bogan and Bell rivers, -and on the Murrumbidgee river, near Yass; it gives preference to the margins of inland lakes and lagoons rather than the sea-coast. J. S. Ramsay, Esq., a most persevering and successful oologist, found it breeding during the months of October, November, and December on the margins of the Bell river, at Cardington. There was always a difficulty in discovering the eggs, from their similarity to the adjacent ground on which they were laid, it being necessary to watch the birds to their eggs. James Ramsay, Esq., of Nanama, near Yass, has also sent me authentic eggs of this species, taken in that district, while others which I have received from Melbourne and South Australia all exhibit a similar style and colour in their markings. The eggs are always four in number, and usually placed with the thinner ends together, in a slight depression in the sand or pebbles near water; the groundcolour is of a rich creamy white when fresh, nearly obscured by numerous irregular angular markings and hair-lines of blackish brown, dark brown, and bluish slate-colour, the last appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell. In some specimens these markings are close together, giving a clouded appearance to the eggs, in others |