ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. 



245 



Family RECURVIROSTRID/Ti]. Avocets and Stilts. 

 Very long bills and legs; food small molluscs, crustaceans and insects. 



Gbnus RECUHVIROSTRA Linn. 



100-225(600). Kecurvirostra aiiiericana (Gmel). American Avocet. 



"One specimen from Michigan in the Kent Scientific Institute" (E. L. Moseley); 

 one taken by W. H. Collins near Detroit; embraced in Butler's Birds of Indiana. 



Genus HIMANTOPUS Bhiss. 



101-22(>-(G01). Himautopus mexicaiius {Midi). Black-necked Stilt. 



" Rare transient " (Gibbe* Birds of Michigan); of doubtful occurence in Michi- 

 gan. Dr. Steere gives it doubtfully as breeding in Michigan. 



Family SCOLOPACID^E. Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. 



Feed on small aquatic animals, insects, etc.; eggs densely spotted, usually 

 pointed at one end; game birds. 



Woodcock, head and outer primaries, natural size. 



Genus PHILOHELA Gray. 



102-228 (605). Philohela minor {Gmel.). * American Woodcock. 



Common from March, rarely February, to October or November; " occasionally 

 every month of the year " (Gibbs); throughout the state; " formerly very com- 

 mon in Wayne County, but goes as the marshes are drained" (Dr. W. C. Brow- 

 nell); "common along Black River in Sanilac Co." (W. A. Oldtield); "very com- 

 mon at St. Joseph, where it breeds, but a rare migrant at Albion and Palmer. 

 Marquette Co." (O. B. Warren); R. H. Wolcott saw one January 1, 1888, at Grand 

 Rapids, when the snow was one foot deep; reported from Presque Isle Co.; 

 "Grand Traverse Co." (Dr. M. L. Leach); "rare summer resident at Mackinac 

 Island" (S. E. White); "Iron Mountain" (E. E. Brewster); "Keweenaw Point" 

 (Kneeland); "have seen two specimens on Keweenaw Point" (E. W. Durfee); 

 breeds; nests in April, on the ground in thick brush; bird so mimics the brush 

 and leaves when on the nest that it is seen with great difflcully; eggs four. 



