June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 19 1967

static population of birds exists, despite the presence, only half a mile away, of a farmhouse with a number of children. We have considered only the forest area indicated on the accompanying map. Adjacent is another watershed involving the Kinglake Forest where Lyrebirds are also known to be present, but of the extent of their numbers little is known. Wader Records and Observations in Mid-Southern Victoria, 1963-1965 By E. T. H. SMITH, Kew, Victoria. Part 2 Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) (continued) Over 50 birds were seen together at the small freshwater lagoon, by the south side of Hann's Inlet, at the Cerberus R.A.N. depot. When disturbed they all flew silently away to another well favoured area, a rocky projection into the nearby inlet. Later in the day they were noted coming back to the lagoon after a feeding excursion to the tidal mud-flats of Westernport Bay. They did not all arrive together, but drifted in a few at a time, or singly. Some gave displays of sheer exuberance by coming in fast, low over the water and then shooting upward a short distance, and rolling from side to side and zig-zagging for a while. As soon as they alighted in the water, they began to bathe and I was able to observe a peculiar feature of this ritual. Every now and then a bird, or perhaps two or three together, would begin bathing in a normal manner. That is, by squatting low in the water with wings up a little and splashing the water over themselves. Suddenly, as if seized with a fit, the bird, or birds, would jump from the lagoon, fly a few feet then drop back into the water, splash about, then up again and a short crazy flight before plopping down once more. Sometimes whilst bathing and half submerged, they would make strange darting motions about in a small area. Occasionally I saw birds ,fully submerged with only the upraised wing-tips showing above the surface, and again the darting about movements, this time whilst under the water. After a while they all settled down to bathe and preen in the more usual manner. Some then dropped off to sleep while standing in an inch or two of water. It was noted that after bathing the birds would fly a few feet into the air, with legs dangling, and shake the excess water from themselves, whilst aloft. Greenshanks were still to be found, in the usual summer numbers, at favoured places up till May 5, 1965, when there were five wild flying birds about Lake Borrie. These birds seemed to be on the move north, and those seen after this sighting were considered by me to be wintering with us. Four birds were observed feeding near rocks in Corio Bay, Werribee sewerage-farm, on August 23 , 1964, and to me they signified the beginning of the 1964-1965 influx of the species. They showed remnants of recent breeding garb, and one in particular, in flight, showed tattered wings from its recent long jaunt. From then on Greenshanks came in, in much the same pattern, and to mostly the same places as they did during the preceding season. I noted on September 9 that the wet leg colour of some wading Greenshanks near "The Spit" showed a definite dull-yellow tinge in the low sunlight. One bird had yellower legs than the others, but it was not the Yellowlegs (Totanus melanoleucus) of America. Good numbers were about in the usual Greenshank spots, around the Melbourne and Geelong districts, with the majority occurring at the three bayside saltworks. On two occasions I saw up to 80 birds about the Altona saltworks. Once on January 3, 1965, and a month later on February 2. My last record of migrating Green shanks came on April I 0, 1964, when at least one of half a dozen, at the Altona saltworks, showed a heavy suggestion of breeding plumage. 20 SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 [ Bird Watcher

Marsh-Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatili.s). The first two Marsh-Sandpipers seen by me, in the 1963-1964 wader season, were at a Cumbungi fringed marsh near Lake Borrie on November 2, 1963. They flew up from the swamp and sped westward on being flushed. Eight days later at the east m:trsh, Altona saltworks, there were three birds. They were quite jumpy and difficult to get near. Several times they flew about over the area with a few Greenshanks. Once one landed with Greenshanks on the nearby bayside mud-flats, but did not stay there long before returning to the east marsh. Two widely separated birds were feeding, in the same salt-pond, with Greenshanks, at the Geelong saltworks, on November 30, 1963. The Greenshanks flew leaving the Marsh-Sandpipers in the pond, amid several o,her small waders. On December 5, 1963, there was one with three Greenshanks at the cast marsh, Altona saltworks. It was squatting at rest behind a small shrub, which shielded it from the strong north wind. Two with Greenshanks were seen at the Golf-links Swamp, Altona, on December 6 and 22, 1963. On December 21, a group of 15 Marsh-Sandpipers flew up from a sewage marsh about a mile east of the mouth of the L ittle River, Werribee sewerage-farm. They came down not far away in a similar position with o ~hers of the species. Another count revealed 25 of the birds in all. At the same place on December 29, 1963, there were about 30 birds, and they were nervous and jumpy and flew about often. A bird at Mud Islands on March 8, 1964, caused a deal of speculation, for a while, as to its true identity. In plumage it was about halfway between the breeding and non-breeding stage of T. stagnatilis. Consequently there was some white speckling of the upper parts and dark spotting about the sides of the neck and breast. The bright sun was low down, in the west, and shining directly on the wet legs, showing them to be quite yellowish. On top of this the bird was very unwary for a Marsh-Sandpiper, and allowed very close approaches. It was loathe to leave its original feeding pool. Thoughts turned to perhaps a vagrant Lesser Yellowlegs (Totanus flavipes) from the American region. Later, however, hopes were dashed when it was seen, in flight, to have a wedge of white running up the back from the rump. The Lesser Yellowlegs lacks white on the back, but does have a white rump. Also from later knowledge, apart from several other features, the legs of the Lesser Yellowlegs would have been a much brighter yellow than those of this Marsh-Sandpiper. It was an incident from which the observers concerned learned much, so the time spent in watching the bird was not entirely wasted. There was a lone bird at the Point Henry section of the Geelong salt­ works, on January 18, 1964. About the Altona saltworks area on March 7..2, 1964, there were at least eight of the birds, all wi:h Greenshanks. Thref were ::~t th; top ponds, near the Point Cook Road, and five in a pond near No. I Pumphouse, on the Skeleton Creek. With these birds I noticed that the legs when wet, in direct sunlight, were a definite yellowish. Later when the legs were dry the colour faded to a less distinctive greenish-yellow. Some calls heard from the speci es that clay, and on other clays, were a sharp "Yip-tchick" and sometimes a subdued "Tchew-Tchew", the latter notes resembling the better known calls of the Greenshank, only much lower. The "Yip" notes are like those of the immature, newly flying White-headed Stilt, which are lost before this species reaches adulthood. The first returned bird for the 1964-1 965 season was seen near No. 2 Pumphouse, Altona saltworks, on September 20, 1964. It was alone, but it later joined Greenshanks in fli ght. Over 30 birds together were seen closely at the marshy sewage treatment ponds, at the south end of Farm Road, Werribee, on November 21, 22 and 25. At the same ponds on December I 2, 1964, there were over 40 together. On January 3, 1965, there were two at an isolated old salt pond, near the mouth of the Skeleton Creek, Altona saltworks. They appeared pale and ethereal against the dark-green Glasswort pa ~ c h where they were standing. This species is paler than the Greenshank when both are in full non-breeding plumage. On a visit to the Point Henry section of the Geelong saltworks, on February 2, 1965, I saw five birds at some isolated upland ponds near the June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 21 1967

.main Point Henry roadway. Two were at rest with about 30 Greenshanks, on a levee between salt ponds at the Altona saltworks on February 27, 1965. Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus). Only one Terek Sandpiper was seen by me during the period under discussion. It was standing on top of a heaped up sand-bar, at the mouth of the Skeleton Creek, Altona, on November 11, 1963. It dwarfed several Red-necked Stints with which it was in company. It stood, or moved about, in front of two other observers and myself approximately 50 feet away. Occasionally it picked at, or probed in, the sand. The longish slightly upturned dark bill was dull orange right at the base. The legs were yellow with an orange tinge. Curlew-Sandpiper (Erolia ferruginea). Each year a few birds of this species will spend the southern winter locally. Then they usually retain the pallid non-breeding plumage. This pale plumage condition makes it easy for the field observer to detect when the first birds from the northern hemisphere breeding grounds arrive. Newly arrived Curlew-Sandpipers are nearly always well imbued with remnants of their recent nuptial dress. Some are only a little removed, if at all, from the full reddish colouration of the under parts, which is taken on in the northern spring. For this reason, on August 18, 1963, I was able to greet the first three incoming birds, with some degree of certainty as to their actually being new arrivals. Two were on the tidal mud-flats at the southern section of the Williams­ town rifle-range. One was in almost full breeding plumage, the other showed some rusty blotching below. Both were not very active. They slept often and occasionally fed unhurriedly. The third bird, about half a mile further west, also retained some smudges of rufous on the under parts. It was with other small waders and would not allow a close approach. On sighting me it flew northward, chirruping loudly. On August 24, there were 16 in the same area, and four more flying about over Cherry's Swamp. The following day I could find only one at the top ponds of the Altona saltworks, but on August 31, there were over 100 there. Some were heavily marked with traces of breeding plumage, whilst others were quite pale generally. During September numbers rose rapidly and on September 15, I noticed over 50 at the Altona saltworks. On the morning of September 22, there were over 500 on the Seaholme­ west Williamstown bayside tidal flats. In the afternoon most of them were flying about over the nearby Cherry's Swamp, seeking resting spots, as the bay-tide rose. Most were giving voice to their attractive trilling calls. September 26 revealed at least 1,000 Curlew-Sandpipers on the Seaholme shore, most not showing any trace of breeding dress. Near the north side of Lake Borrie, Werribee sewerage-farm, on September 2, a rainy day, over 150 were watched. The wet conditions had no effect on their feeding activities, and most fed with the head under water. On the Seaholme tidal flats, on October 5, I estimated that over 2,000 of these birds were present between the mouth of the Kororoit Creek and the Seaholme township. The day after, on the very extensive mud-flats of Westernport Bay, near Somers, only one Curlew-Sandpiper could be located. At the south-east corner of Cherry's Swamp, on October 20, there were more than 2,000 small waders packed into an almost solid carpet of birds. They had come from the nearby bayside to rest while the tide was full. Over half were of this species, the rest were mainly Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints. During November numbers remained fairly stable in the west Williamstown-Altona areas. In that month I visited other places frequented by the species. At Lake Murdeduke, in the western district of Victoria, on November 17, there were over 100 birds scattered about the south­ western fringes. On November 23, there was one bird near Edithvale and three near Chelsea. At the big marsh, near the Barwon Heads Road, on the south side of Lake Connewarre, on November 30, there were about 20, with another five at close-by Lake Murthagurt, Barwon Heads, and ove·r 500 at a small section of the Geelong saltworks. Early in December the Golf-links and Dairyfarm Swamps, Altona, began to dry out, leaving several acres of soft mud. About the same time 22 SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 [ Bird Watcher many small waders began to arrive, to share in the abundant food supply that had been created. Most of the birds were of this species, at least 1,000 being in attendance. By December 10, over 2,000 Curlew-Sandpipers could be found there. Fifty or so were seen at Coode Island, near the mouth of the Yarra River, on December 11, and 10 birds, in the same area, two days later. Over 1,000 were at old marshy sewage ponds, Werribee, during November, December and January, and on January 1, 1964, I saw more than I ,000 birds at the Geelong saltworks. Among the latter I noticed two with well defined chestnut spotting on the under parts; the first sign, for the season, that I had seen of the change toward breeding plumage. Mud Islands, from January 25 to 27 , 1964, revealed not many more than 200 of these birds. Some showed the first signs of the return to breeding dress. One bird, however, was in complete breeding plumage and probably was the best example of that state of feather that I had ever seen. It was so darkly hued that it stood out like a beacon among its pallid congeners. In early February I noticed that numbers had reduced considerably. Possibly the missing birds were not too far away, probably at drying inland lakes within Victoria. In February many birds were showing various signs of the change to breeding plumage, and during March and April, several were seen in the complete nuptial dress. I noticed small flocks up to 100, that contained birds in full or part breeding plumage, about the Altona-Werribee area till May 10, 1964. After that date all the Curlew-Sandpipers that I saw were in non­ breeding plumage and I considered them to be wintering locally. In fact some birds did remain during the winter months, for I saw a few at several places. The largest wintering flock that I noticed was of over 200 birds at the Altona saltworks. The 1964-1965 season opened with at least 100 of the birds; on the Seaholme shore, of which about half a dozen were lately arrived, judging by the state of plumage. One was in practically full nuptial garb, the other few were not far removed from that stage. From then on the pattern of arrivals, departures, state of plumage and numbers was closely similar to the preceding season. Again they were about in hundreds in favoured localities, and more than once I noticed over 1,000 on the Seaholme fiats. This species, which prefers to feed where there is water, or at least dampness, sometimes resorts to drier areas for food. Occasionally I have seen odd birds feeding out in fields not far from water, and on August 18, 1964, I observed approximately 20 with several Red-necked Stints, Double­ banded Dotterels and Red-capped Dotterels at Point Cook. They were busily pecking about a short-grassed upland, several hundred feet from the nearest water. It was subsequently discovered that the ground was covered with small furry caterpillars, in plague profusion. I was not certain that the birds were actually taking these larvae, but it was most probable> that they were. Red-necked Stint (Ero/ia ruficol/is). Of the migratory waders that occasionally stop over for the southern winter, this species is at once the most regular and most numerous. It is also the smallest of all the regularly occurring Australian waders. One of the first to arrive at its non-breeding haunts, it is also among the last to leave to pursue the fleeting northern spring. That such a tiny bird can cover such immense distances between its northern hemisphere breeding areas and its southern hemisphere non­ breeding grounds, is almost beyond belief. But, it does and the effort does not seem to be weakening its teeming numbers. It is by far the most numerically superior of all the waders that occur in the places mentioned here. It has a very distinctive and colourful breeding plumage which contrasts sharply with its non-breeding garb. Here the field observer is again fortunate for, as with Curlew-Sandpipers, he can be quite sure of the arrival dates of the incoming birds. The first Stints to arrive back in August are frequently so well suffused with the nuptial pinkish breast and head colour, that it makes them stand out among their own pale members that had stayed for the winter, in the vicinity. So it was on August 18, 1963, that I recorded my first incoming Red-necked Stint, at Seaholme. On the tidal fiats were about 24 of the June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 23 1967

birds, two showing strong traces of the breeding colour. Of 40 or more at nearby Cherry's Swamp, at least one was newly arrived, and possibly two or three others. However, the majority of the Stints seen that day had no doubt wintered locally. By August 24, of over 100 Stints in the same area, several were undoubtedly just arrived. On August 31 , about the Werribee sewerage-farm generally, among more than 150 Stints, I noted several with strong remnants of recent breeding garb. During early September, Red-necked Stints began corning in the usual hundreds, and on September 22, I saw over 1,500 on the Seaholme tidal flats and many others at close by suitable swamps. The species kept adding to its numbers through October and November, and some of the larger counts that I made in those months are as follow. On the extensive mud­ flats in Westernport Bay, near Somers on October 10, there were over 300; Werribee sewerage-farm October 19, over 6,000; Altona saltworks October 27, over 400; and on the same day by the big lake at Point Cook, 500. At the Avalon saltworks on November 2, I could locate only 25 of these Stints, but at the nearby Werribee sewerage-farm over 2,500 were seen near Point Kirk. More than I ,000 of these birds were standing at rest on a large patch of sea-shell studded sand, and so blended with the patch that I nearly missed them. I would have had they not taken fright at my close approach, and leapt momentarily into the air, in a body, then straight away settled again. The species could be found in large numbers at favoured areas from west Williamstown to the Geelong area from November to the end of April. They were in thousands at Seaholrne-Altona-Point Cook, the Werribee sewerage-farm and the Geelong saltworks in that period. The Red-necked Stints often favoured bayside tidal mud-fiats, in most places, but also occurred commonly, usually in lesser numbers, at the larger swamps not far from the coastline. On January 18, 1964, among more than 1,500 Stints at the Point Henry section of the Geelong saltworks, was one which showed out from the others by the state of its plumage. The bird was very close to full breeding dress, with the throat, cheeks and upper breast a light salmon pink, with fine black spotting fringing the lower part of the breast colouring. The dark head showed fine whitish longitudinal streaking, and the back and upper wings were dark and beautifully mottled with black, browns and chestnut. The Mud Islands visit from January 25 to 27, 1964, showed that approximately 200 Stints were present. From the beginning of February, it was apparent that some birds were taking on the breeding plumage. This became more obvious as the time for the northward movement neared. From mid-March through April and well into May, several Red-necked Stints could be seen in what appeared to be full nuptial dress. Others became fairly heavily marked, but most by far showed no obvious signs of the change. Numbers declined sharply durihg April, but hundreds were still present in some places. By the end of the first week in May the out­ ward movement seemed complete but for a few stragglers. Those seen after mid-May no doubt stayed for the southern winter. All these latter birds were in the pale non-breeding plumage. In June, July and the first three weeks of August many wintering Red-necked Stints could be found in areas that they also chose in the southern spring and summer. Flocks to 100 Stints were not unusual, and a few times considerably more were seen. On June 6, 1964, I saw a flock of over 500 in flight over the top ponds at the Altona saltworks. Among more than 600 Red-necked Stints on the Seaholrne mud-fiats on August 12, 1964, were a few showing obvious signs of breeding plumage. These appeared to be newly returned from the north, but how far north would be difficult to determine. Perhaps they had left early to breed and, having completed that duty, had returned correspondingly early. In fact the ensuing season was somewhat unusual inasmuch that Stint numbers built up considerably in most areas from early August, rather than from the third or fourth week. which is more usual in my experience. On August 28, 1964, at least 2,000 Stints were at Seaholrne, and the 24 SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 [ Bird Watcher season was in progress in earnest once again. From then till the close of the 1964-1965 wader season the series of events, concerning this species, closely followed those of the 1963-1964 period. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ( Erolia acuminata). Sharp-tailed Sandpipers remove themselves almost entirely from these areas during the southern winter months and it is indeed a rare sight to see one from mid-May to mid-August. The main northward movement becomes apparent towards the end of February each year, and the first returning birds are usually detected about the end of the third week in the following August. On August 24, 1963, I searched parts of the west Williamstown-Altona areas looking for the first incoming birds, but without success. The follow­ ing day, going over the same route, I found two of the birds. Both were near the mouth of the Skeleton Creek at the Altona saltworks. At the Werribee sewerage-farm on August 31 , there were eight birds feeding at rain-water pools near the west side of the mouth of the Little River. A few hundred yards away, at a shallow marshy lagoon near the south-east corner of Lake Borrie, there were more than 500 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. They were feeding avidly and took little notice of the close proximity of another observer and myself. They had apparently just arrived, and they were very hungry after completing another leg of their long southward movement. Even as we watched another 50 or so birds s wcp ~ in from over the nearby bayside, to join the main flock. I fancied that these latter birds were just touching down after an extended flight. Many seemed to be in full, or almost full, breeding plumage; many were in change and several exhibited total non-breeding dress. At Cherry's Swamp, Al tona, on September 1, there were eight Sharp-tails feeding quietly. The build-up in the west Williamstown-Altona area was unusually slow and by the end of September, numbers were still well down on the same period in previous years. Probably feeding conditions at large lakes in northern Victoria and elsewhere, had delayed the majority of the birds that would normally have been further south. Numbers at the Werribee sewerage-farm had also lessened since my first visit of August 31, and on September 29, I could find just over 200 there. Despite a sighting of over 300 at up-ponds of the Altona saltworks on October 13, the numbers of this species were still unusually low generally. At the beginning of November the position began to improve somewhat, and on November 2, I saw about 50 at the Avalon saltworks and more than 600 at the Werribee sewerage-farm. Nevertheless, numbers did not rise greatly in the Altona district during November, but a few times I saw more than 250 of the birds at Cherry's Swamp. From the beginning of December many more Sharp-tails were observed at Altona, and on December 5 there were hundreds at the rapidly drying Golf-links Swamp, and the same numbers were seen the next day. They fed mostly in shallow water amid short aquatic herbage, and on muddy or dry ground in short grass. Many were resting in short herbage and were most difficult to see. They were nearly overlooked and I would have missed many if I had not searched the grass carefully with a binocular. When closely examined the vegetation proved to contain many of the small resting birds. Most of them were watching me with an eye just clearing the secluding herbage. By December 10, there were between 1,500 and 2,000 at the Golf-links Swamp, and they remained there until the ground was dry towards the end of that month. In the meantime I had visited the big marsh near the south sid e of Lake Connewarre, in the Geelong district. There I saw several hundred Sharp-tails feeding about wide water-meadows in very short vegetation. At nearby Lake Murthagurt, there were about a dozen birds, and two or three hundred at a small section of the Geelong saltworks. At Coode Island, near the mouth of the Yarra River, on December 11 , there were over 150 and two days later more than 230. There were about 20 at a small swamp at Fisherman's Bend on December 18. After the Golf-links Swamp, Altona, dried up in December the birds from there were found to be frequenting other suitable places in the same June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 25 1967 district. Whilst looking for waders at Altona on December 19, I saw about 30 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at a small pond on the site of the old Williams­ town racecourse. There were approximately 100 at the Maddox Road Swamp, and at Cherry's Swamp, particularly the southern part, over 1,000 of the birds. On that date there were clouds of small waders, mostly this species and Curlew-Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints flying over Cherry's Swamp. Sometimes the many hundreds of small birds amalgamated into a single huge flock, which manoeuvred about over the water as a single body, ever changing shape. The flock would string out across the swamp, then rise as a tower above it to quickly change into a solid, almost rounded mass. The flock shapes were endless as the small waders flew their unified course in perfect harmony; each individual obeying instantly a command not yet understood by the human mind. Occasionally the big flock would split up into two, three or even four lesser ones, only to join together once more. Eventually the birds came down to alight about the shores of the swamp, in strung out scattered legions. At shallow marshy old sewage ponds, about a mile east of Little River, Werribee, there were at least 1,000 Sharp-tails on December 21, with only six on "The Spit", a few miles further west. By December 25, more than 100 had come into a shallow rubbish-dump swamp, at Fisherman's Bend, near the west end of the airfield. Large numbers were noted at Altona and Werribee from late December through­ out January. Over 1,500 were grouped on the east shore of Cherry's Swamp on December 27 , with more than 150 at the nearby wide bend of the Kororoit Creek. Another 150 or thereabouts were at the Nellie Street Swamp, at the south-western section of Cherry's Swamp. Two days later, at the south end of Farm Road, Werribee sewerage-farm, I estimated that there were close to 3,000 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at the marshy old sewage ponds. A visit to Geelong saltworks on January 18, 1964, revealed that at least 1,500 of the birds were in the section nearest Point Henry. On the way back to Melbourne that day we called at the Werribee sewerage­ farm, where we saw over 2,000 more of the species. It was noticed on this date, that many of the birds were showing the first signs of breeding plumage. The upper parts were becoming brighter, and heavier, more extensive spotting showed below. Mud Islands from January 25 to 27, 1964, held few more than 150 Sharp-tails. These islands are not greatly favoured by this species although there are many more there some years than in others. In February many birds donned the handsome breeding plumage and most others showed some signs of the change to that feather. I noticed on February 29, that a big move out of the species had taken place and consequently their numbers were well down, in all favoured areas. Several remained during March, the largest number seen at any one place, in that month, was over 300 at the Avalon salt'Works. April found the species extremely scarce, and my last sighting for the season was of a single bird at the Werribee sewerage-farm, on May 5, 1964. It was conspicuous in a flying flock of Red-necked Stints. In the last few weeks of their stay, many appeared to be in complete nuptial dress. The 1964- 1965 season was almost a repeat of the previous one except that for some unaccountable reason a single acuminata, in full breeding plumage, came in to the Seaholme mud-flats on July 18, 1964. This bird may not have migrated right through to the breeding ground, and had returned south earlier than usual. However, on August 16, there were two at the Werribee sewerage-farm and, two days later, one at Point Cook, near the R.A.A.F . property. On August 23, another observer and I saw hundreds of sharp-tails arriving from the north, at the Werribee sewerage­ farm. The movement continued all day and at almost anytime, if the length of the skyline were to be surveyed, with a binocular, one would see a small flock, or flocks, high and low, of this species moving fast toward the area from the north. Not all alighted at the farm. Many did, but more kept going out over Corio Bay, mostly in a south-westerly direction, and still on migration. 26 SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65

The last two birds seen for the 1964-1965 season, were at the Altona saltworks on May 9, 1965. The usual movement out conditions had been the same. That is, many birds had disappeared from local areas by the end of February. However, they could still be found during March and April, but in ever-dwindling numbers. Many times during the length of their stay various displays were seen. Mostly it is where a large Sharp-tail pursues a small one about on the ground, with its feathers raised, head lowered, wings drooped and tail pointed downward and fanned. Sometimes the tail is cocked straight up and jerked in the manner of a Crake's (Porzana) tail. In this last position the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper does roughly resemble a Crake, or small Rail. Pectoral Sandpiper (Erolia melanotos). I have already recorded my impressions of this species during the 1963-1964 migratory wader season, in a paper entitled "The Pectoral Sandpiper in Mid-southern Victoria (additional records and notes)", in The Australian Bird Watcher, Vol. 2, pp. 104-108. My remarks here are confined to observations made by me in the 1964-1965 season. About a mile east of the Carrum Railway Station, at the large swamp by McLeod Road, on November 10, 1964, I saw a big Pectoral Sandpiper among Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. It was almost hidden by short green grass growing in wet or watery mud. The upward extended neck of the bird was well seen as was the short close-streaking down the front and sides of the neck and breast. A very noticeable feature was the longish, dusky bill which showed a yellow-olive base. It later flew a short distance uttering the characteristic reedy notes, and showing its yellow legs. as it rose. The following day at the weedy, shallow western section of the Maddox Road Swamp, west Williamstown, I saw at least two of the birds, singly. Once, while one bird was flying about the swamp, I noticed the other one on a small muddy islet. One of the birds that I watched closely as it fed with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, was a medium sized specimen. It stood out from the Sharp-tails by its browner appearance of the upper parts and dar~ breast. Later the other diagnostic features were checked. Whilst feeding this bird assumed a hunched posture, and moving slowly, picked fairly rapidly in shallow water, or in short-grass. Sometimes it lengthened its neck vertically to see what I was doing. There was another Pectoral Sandpiper in the same area on December 4, and it allowed a close approach. Consequently I received some good close views of it as it fed rather unconcernedly. This bird, like some other melanotos that I have seen, had a pale gingery, or rufous, wash about the face and cheeks. At the same place on December 20, I again saw two Pectorals. At the McLeod Road Swamp, Carrum, on January 1, 1965, there was one melanotos, with several acuminata among grass-topped islets and clods of mud, out in the swamp. On January 14, there were two birds at the same place. Both were wary and it took much time and patience to obtain good views of them. This was eventually accomplished on several occasions. The birds frequently crouched down in grass, or hid among the clods of mud whilst I was in the vicinity. Sometimes they went on the long necked alert, and a few times I heard their typical calls. \Vith another observer, at a series of drying-out old sewage treatment ponds, Werribee, on February 6, 1965, I saw another Pectoral Sandpiper. As often is the case, it was in company with a number of acuminata. Also near-by were some Curlew-Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints. It ceased feeding in the grass-fringed shallow water and went on the alert, to watch us closely. Soon it relaxed and went on feeding, and we were able to obse·rve it well for several minutes. The other small waders in the vicinity took fright, and flew a short distance. The melanotos went with them. In flight it called the familiar "Trrrt-trrrt" or "Trrit-trrit" and similar notes. The bird was relocated and whilst viewing it again, all the small waders took to the air once more. The Pectoral Sandpiper went with them, calling hoarsely, but it travelled only a few feet, then suddenly, when about two feet from the water's surface, it flung itself down into the pond. It crouched flat, chest deep in the water, with its head and neck stretched along the June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 27 1967

surface. A few seconds later it rose again from the pond, only to drop back and crouch half-submerged once more. Finally it stood upright to survey us for a short while, then taking to the air it flew a long distance away. On March 3, 1965, with another keen watcher of waders, at the Maddox Road Swamp, a Pectoral Sandpiper was viewed for over one hour, some­ times from as close as 30 feet. It fed near several Sharp-tailed and Curlew-Sandpipers; a Wood-Sandpiper; several Red-necked Stints; White­ headed Stilts; two Black-fronted Dotterels and several Silver Gulls. This bird was aware of our presence, but was little perturbed. Once, when something disturbed the marsh birds in front of us, several of them left the area, and most others stood at the long necked alert, ready for instant flight. Not so the Pectoral Sandpiper which crouched down in about an inch of water, and flattened itself along the surface. It was the only small wader to behave in this manner. When the danger, whatever it was, had passed the melanotos came back to the muddy islet to resume feeding. I saw this bird again, at the same place, on March 20 and April 3, 1965. My last record for the season, and incidentally my latest Pectoral Sand­ piper record at any time, was obtained on April 11 , 1965, at the Werribee sewerage-farm. On that occasion one medium sized melanotos was watched for several minutes, at close range, as it fed near some Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Knot (Calidris canutus). There were four Knots together, among hundreds of other small migratory waders, at a shallow section of the Golf-links Swamp, Altona, on December 6, 1963. On January 11, 1964, there was one at a sewage pond, at the south end of Farm Road, at the Werribee sewerage-farm. From January 25 to 27, 1964, at Mud Islands, over l 00 of the birds were present. A few showed the ·first signs of changing to the breeding plumage, by the light rufous speckling of the under parts. Often they were noted mingling with Great Knots. More than 50 birds were at Mud Islands from March 7 to 9, 1964. Of these at least 20 were in complete nuptial dress. Some were a darker red on the under parts than others. All those that were in full breeding garb were also beautifully spotted and spangled on the darker upper parts. Some others showed a distinct change toward nuptial dress, but several were still in total non-breeding garb. The coloured birds at rest, with their reflections in the shallow lagoon, made a beautiful picture, and one to linger in the memory. The first incoming Knot for 1964 was seen on August 23, at the Werribee sewerage-farm. It was still largely in breeding plumage and still full of the urge to move south. When disturbed it rose swiftly, high into the air, uttering a screeched "Nyut" several times. It headed southward and quickly disappeared from sight, on possibly the last stage of its long flight. Two Knots were seen on the Seaholme bayside mud-flats, on September 7, 1964, and four at sewage ponds, Werribee, on November 25, 1964. Three of the latter were seen again, in the same place, on December 12, 1964. Over 200 were scattered about Mud Islands from January 30 to February 1, 1965. Most of them were in full non-breeding plumage, but some exhibited rufous blotching below. Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris). Mud Islands, in Port Phillip Bay, are the best known places, in Victoria, to see this species, and, sometimes, it occurs there in good numbers. From January 25 to 27, 1964, at the islands, there were more than 200 Great Knots. On January 26, I counted 143 birds standing in a ragged line, about the north-western edge of the lagoon. I had just completed the count when at least another dozen dropped in, making over 150 in all. Others were scattered elsewhere about the islands. This species and its smaller congener, the Knot, were often noted in company, and their flocks mixed freely when feeding and, to a lesser extent, in the air. I found the Great Knot to be more approachable than the Knot, and because of this trait several observers and I obtained some exceptionally fine views on many occasions. Once, when about 50 Great Knots were at rest on a wet sand-flat, facing me, I lay flat on my stomach and had very 28 SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 [ Bird Watcher good views of them through a 15 x binocular. Some showed heavily black-spotted breasts. Two or three were so well marked that they seemed to be wearing black bibs. All other Great Knots, studied closely, showed dark breast spotting to some degree. Once a good sized flock glided directly over me, preparatory to alighting, and I was able to see, with an 10 x binocular, the well defined breast markings of many of them. Several were darkly marked, and probably these birds were exhibiting the first obvious signs of change to breeding plumage. At Mud Islands from March 7 to 9, 1964, there were over 60 Great Knots. No doubt the others had left for the far northern breeding places. The remaining birds showed a variety of plumage from non-breeding to complete nuptial dress. I had not seen the nuptial plumage of this species before, so I spent as much time as possible studying the birds that were so marked. On March 9, I found a mixed group of waders that allowed a close approach. The group consisted of 25 Great Knots, 35 Knots and a few other species. They were resting in shallow water at the lagoon edge, all facing into the wind and rather hunched. A 15 x 50 binocular mounted on a sturdy tripod allowed me to examine all the birds closely, at my leisure, for long periods. All the Great Knots were well spotted on the breast, but three, in probable complete breeding garb, were so heavily marked that the spots had run together giving the impression, mostly from a little distance, that the breast area was uniformly black. The upper parts had darkened considerably and several feathers in the scapular region were an outstanding reddish-chestnut. The birds were in contrast to some breeding-plumaged Knots that were accompanying them. The Knots were a brick red on almost the entire under parts. At Mud Islands from January 30 to February 1, 1965, there were just over 100 Great Knots, and they were always to be seen with Knots. None showed any marked change toward breeding plumage. Australian (Japanese) Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii). I began looking for early arrivals of this species, about Melbourne, on July 28, 1963. On that date attention was given to the usually well favoured Maddox Road Swamp, west Williamstown. However, I had no success at that time but a few days later, August 3, I flushed a single bird which I considered to be a very early new arrival. It shot skyward, calling "Esk", to over 100 feet up, then flew wildly about for several minutes before coming down much further away. No more Snipe were seen till August 24, when two were noted together at the Maddox Road Swamp, and seven at a grassy swamp, at the western section of the Williamstown rifle-range. At least 50 Snipe were noted in the Williamstown rille-range-Maddox Road Swamp vicinity, on September 22. Many of these birds showed the effects of their recent long southward flight by the abraded condition of their flight feathers. From then, till their movement out in the following March, I saw the birds many times in the west Williamstown area. The species began to appear at other places close to Melbourne during October and November. On October 20, I saw two at Cherry's Swamp, Altona, and on October 26, two at Fisherman's Bend. At the eminently suitable Werribee sewerage-farm, I noted one Snipe on November 2, at the east side of Lake Borrie. I have never seen many Snipe at the sewerage-farm. Perhaps they do occur there in larger numbers than is realised. There are many huge long-grassed swampy fields there that are not visited by bird observers, and perhaps it is in those areas that Snipe are in better numbers. A swampy tussocky section of the southern bore of Cherry's Swamp became well favoured by Snipe from the beginning of November. On November 3, I noted over 20 there and a few days later more than 30 of the birds. This last number remained fairly constant till some movement out occurred in early March, 1964. During the rest of the 1963-1964 Snipe season, I noticed odd birds at such places as the Braeside sewerage-farm; the grassy southern edge of Lake Col ac (over 30 on November 16) ; near Chelsea and Seaford; the Bulleen Ponds, and Coode Island where about 30 birds were seen on June ] SMITH, Wader Records 1963-65 29 1967

December II. Other birds were observed at marshy old sewage ponds, Werribee, at the south end of Farm Road, and on a swampy creek at the R.A.A.F. base, Laverton. My last sighting for the 1963-1964 season was of three Snipe at the Maddox Road Swamp, on March 27, 1964. Many times during the season I obtained very fine views of Snipe, in flight and feeding about the swamps. Several times I saw the birds feeding totally unobscured by swamp vegetation, and watched them as they pumped their long bills deep down into the soft mud. I found that by sitting quietly by a known Snipe haunt, that eventually extremely good views of these generally shy creatures could be obtained as they emerged from their hiding places in the short aquatic growth. In fact some Snipe will become quite trusting and will feed in the open, sometimes within 30 feet of an unobscured but quiet watcher. Many times on arriving at such a haunt, where at first there seemed to be no birds, I have slowly run my binocular over the swamp and have seen the birds blending marvellously with their surroundings. Some would be crouching down in open positions. Others would be in evidence only by a dark eye and a brown and cream striped crown showing just above, or through, the low herbage. The 1964-1965 Snipe season began for me on August 22, 1964, when I put up a lone bird at the Maddox Road Swamp, west Williamstown. Two days later three Snipe came up from the same swamp as I waded along the overgrown southern fringe. By August 30, there were more than 40 at the swamp, and a few more, not far away, at the Williamstown rifle-range swamps. The 1964-1965 season was similar to the preceding one, except that I saw more of the birds in the Carrum-Edithvale-Seaford localities than I have on other occasions. The last Snipe seen for the year were at the Maddox Road Swamp, where about seven were noted on March 21, 1965. At the Maddox Road Swamp on March 20 and 21, 1965, I saw a few Snipe which seemed to be usual in plumage, with the exception of one. This bird showed out from the others by being a little larger, much darker generally and with more apparent white tipping to the tail feathers. The upper parts were very dark brown, appearing blackish, and the dark breast markings were reminiscent of those of the Pectoral Sandpiper. In flight, with the other Snipe, it was noticeable by its larger size and overall darkness. Perhaps it was specifically distinct, or more likely the usual Snipe showing signs of melanism. Oriental Pratincole (Glareola pratincola). At the Werribee sewerage- farm on November 21, 1964, there was a single bird (The Australian Bird Watcher, December 1964, Vol. 2, pp. 111-112. "The Oriental Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Near Melbourne," by Roy P. Cooper) . The following day, two observers and I saw an Oriental Pratincole", probably the same bird, about a mile from where the one was seen the previous day. We were walking along a raised earthen roadway, between the main sewerage lake and surrounding marshlands, when the lone bird came flying towards us. For a few seconds it fed in flight close to where we stood. It came within 50 feet at times, and hunted from ground level to about 30 feet high. The bird was not unduly alarmed by our presence, and we all received satisfactory views before it moved away across the lake and was lost to sight. Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella). On November 17 , 1963, there was one Australian Pratincole, at the rock strewn shore at the south­ western corner of Lake Murdeduke, near Winchelsea, to the west of Geelong. The bird let four observers approach closely, as it pursued low flying insects by running after them, amid small rocks, on the short grassed shore. Once it went out into shallow water, for a few feet, till it was almost abdomen deep and captured two Damsel Flies (Lestes ana/is) before returning to the shore. Most insects taken were the Damsel Flies, which were in immense numbers about the lake. Eventually it became alarmed and flew about a quarter of a mile to the east, before alighting again on the edge of the lake. This bird showed traces of juvenile mottling of the upper parts.