RECURVIROSTRID^ — THE STILTS — HIMANTOPUS. 347 



not common, it is a reyular visitant, and is possibly a resident. According to Leo- 

 taud, it is fonnd in Trinidad, and, although not common, is supposed to be resident 

 in that island. Mr. C. AV. AX'yatt (*' Ibis," 1871) mentions hnding it wading in the 

 shallows of a lagoon near Cienaga, in Colombia, S. A. 



A single example of the Stilt is recorded by Major Wedderburn as having been 

 shot in Bermuda, June 3, lS5o. Dr. Beiiandier (MSS.) cites this species as inhabit- 

 ing marshy places on the littoral plains of the Gulf of Mexico, in Texas, Tamaulipas, 

 the vicinity of Tampico, and on the shores of Lake Tamaqua and Tuxpan, in the 

 State of Vera Cruz. It is there known by the trivial name of TUdillo. 



Dr. Cooper noticed a migrating flock at Fort Mojave, on the 1st of May, 1861 ; and 

 on the 12th of May, 1863, obtained the first one seen at Santa Barbara. Hence he 

 infers that it always arrives from- the south about that time. It is rare on the Pacific 

 coast, but migrates through the interior, and seems to prefer the fresh-water streams 

 and marshes, feeding along their shores. Specimens have been procured near the 

 Rocky ^Mountains ; but it is everywhere rare in California. 



According to Giraud, this species is found on Long Island, but is not common ; 

 and it is this bird, and not the Avocet, which is the '• Lawyer " of hunters. On the 

 sea-coast of Xew Jersey, where it arrives from the south in the latter part of April, 

 it is more common. Birds of this species associate in small parties, and resort to the 

 shallow ponds on the meadows in the vicinity of the sea-coast, where they wade in 

 pursuit of aquatic insects and minute shellfish. Occasionally a few stragglers may 

 be seen loitering about the pools on the southern shore of Long Island ; but these are 

 usually solitary individuals, and such are said to be infrequent. This bird is very 

 rarely exposed for sale in Xew York markets, and is not known to breed on Long 

 Island. 



In Utah, both this sjDecies and the Avocet are known as the " White Snipe." Mr. 

 Allen found both species in September, in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, and 

 quite abundant, both species being characteristic of that region, Avhere both are 

 summer residents, and breed on the shores and islands of the lake in great 

 abundance. 



Mr, Ridgway met with this bird in the spring and summer months near the alka- 

 line lakes and ponds of the Great Basin, inhabiting the same localities with the 

 Avocet, and being its almost constant companion. In the southeastern portion of 

 Oregon Captain Bendire found it associated with the Avocet, and frequenting the 

 same localities, but not so common. It also breeds in that region. 



]Mr. Moore writes that he has seen but two pairs of this species, on Sarasota Bay, 

 in Florida, dui'ing a residence of two summers, or from February to November in two 

 consecutive years. The first pair seen Avas June 19, 1870, and the second April 6, 

 1872 ; the latter in a pond two miles from the Bay in company with Totanus 

 fiavipes. 



On the coast of Guatemala, as observed by Mr. Salvin, the Stilts were wading 

 about near the shore, pecking at the surface of the water ; they were in great num- 

 bers, but all in small flocks. Mr. E. Xewton, who observed it in a lagoon on the 

 south side of the Island of St. Croix, also mentions its occurring in small flocks of 

 three or four. These were wading mid-leg deep in its shallow water, and were 

 quite regardless of the approach of the boat, but walked slowly about, sometimes 

 picking up insects from the surface of the water, at others dipping their bills into 

 it and, then stopping, with their heads on one side, as if listening, or looking intently 

 into the water. Leotaud speaks of them as usually occurring in pairs in Trinidad, on 

 the borders of partially dried pools. Perched upon their long legs, they move with 



