NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 107 



The nesting habits of Wilson's Phalarope have been carefully 

 observed by Mr. E. W. Nelson in Northern Illinois, and his observa- 

 tions form a very complete and interesting biography of the species. | 

 Mr. Nelson states that it is the most common species in Northern 

 Illinois, frequenting grassy marshes and low prairies, and is not 

 exceeded in numbers even by the ever-present Spotted Sandpiper. 

 " The nesting-site is usually in some thin tuft of grass on a level spot, 

 but often in an open place concealed by only a few straggling blades 

 of small carices. The male scratches a shallow depression in the soft 

 earth, which is usually lined with a thin layer of fragments of old 

 grass blades, upon which the eggs, numbering from three to four, are 

 deposited about the last of May or first of June. Owing to the low 

 situations in which the nests are placed, the first set of eggs is often 

 destroyed by a heavy fall of rain, causing the water to rise so as to 

 submerge the nest. In this case, the second set, numbering two or 

 three, is often deposited in a depression scratched in the ground, as at 

 first, but with no sign of any lining. Accidents of this kind cause 

 the second set of eggs to be sometimes deposited as late as the last of 

 June." The male alone undertakes the duties of incubation. The 

 eggs are ashy-yellow, usually coarsely spotted and blotched with brown 

 of varying shades, with numerous specks and scratches ; three or four 

 in number; sizes vary from 1.20 to 1.35 in length by 1.90 in breadth, 

 making them elongate pyriform in shape. 



225. Recurvirostra americana GM. [566.] 



American Avocet 



Hab. Temperate portions of North America, from the Saskatchewan country and Great Slave Lake 

 southward ; in winter to Guatemala and the West Indies. 



A bird of striking appearance, of odd coloration, having extra- 

 ordinarily long legs ; feet webbed like those of a swimming bird ; body 

 flattened underneath, and duck-like plumage to resist the water. The 

 most striking characteristic of the bird, however, is its long, decidedly 

 upturned bill, and from its blue legs it receives the name of Blue- 

 stocking. 



It is very abundant in the West, on the plains of Dakota, Montana, 

 Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. In these regions it breeds in June, 

 nesting in the tall grass in marshy or wet places. 



The eggs vary from a dark olive to buff, pretty uniformly and pro- 

 fusely spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades ; they vary in 

 size, shape and markings like the birds themselves ; three or four in 

 number; sizes from 1.80 to 2.10 in length by 1.25 to 1.45 in breadth. 



birds known to breed in the State. By N. S. Goss. Published under the direction of the Executive Council, 

 May, 1886. Topeka: T. D. Thacher, State Printer. P. 14. 

 t Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. II, pp. 38-43. 



