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Show 1877.] NORTH-EASTERN QUEENSLAND. 339 is so in collections made in New South Wales. I found large flocks of Sandpipers, and among them a few of this species, on the extensive mud-flats at the mouths of the Mary and Fitzroy rivers, and had ample opportunities of watching their habits while stranded in a boat, high and dry, about the middle of an extensive mud-flat, thirty miles long by six miles wide. I spent the best part of a day in this position, waiting for the return of the tide, and, per force, amused myself watching the different species of Waders and Gulls, many of which came within a few yards of our boat. 216. GALLINAGO AUSTRALIS. Gallinago australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 271. The Australian Snipe affords good shooting to the sportsman during the season. There were not many of this species in the Herbert district during my visit; but the few we obtained were among the finest and largest I have ever met with. 217- RHYNCHAA AUSTRALIS. Rhynchcea australis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 274. That this species occasionally visits the districts near Rockingham Bay is proved by some fine specimens having been shot and skinned by Inspector Johnstone. These were procured a short time prior to my visit, and were still in his possession at the time of my sojourn under his hospitable roof. The Painted Snipe is by no means a common bird; and although during an occasional very wet season this species may be obtained in tolerable numbers, yet its visits are very uncertain and few and far between. In New South Wales I have obtained specimens from the Clarence river and Lake George; but nowhere have I ever found it plentiful. 218. NUMENIUS CYANOPUS. Numenius cyanopus, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 277. Common everywhere in suitable places and muddy flats along the coast, and occasionally may be found on the margins of lakes and lagoons inland a considerable distance. 219. NUMENIUS UROPYGIALIS. Numenius uropygialis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 279. 220. NUMENIUS MINOR. Numenius minor, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 280. I observed these species but once during my tour; and, under the same circumstances, I trust I shall not meet them again. Mud-flats are very interesting in their way, especially to the naturalist; but there can be too much of a good'thing. Both species are dispersed rather plentifully over the whole of the southern and eastern portions of Australia ; and I have received one specimen of N. minor from the Lower Darling river, shot on the margins of some of the numerous inland lakes. 22* |