74 WADING BIRDS. 



the year; namely, in autumn, acquiring, however, in spring, many 

 additional feathers. The plumage rather thick and close, and well 

 provided with down. 



The Avosets live by pairs, or small companies, in inundated marsh- 

 es, where they are constantly obliged to wade. They run with rapid- 

 ity in or out of the water, but do not habitually swim, though their 

 feet are almost entirely webbed. Their flight is rapid and long sustain- 

 ed ; and they are naturally shy, noisy, and timid. They feed on small 

 fish, insects, and spawn,Avhich they often seize by beating the water, 

 as well as by probing the mud, in the manner of the Woodcock or 

 Snipe. Their nests are usually small cavities in the earth, lined with 

 a few weeds, or merely, the bosom of the bare sand ; sometimes, 

 however, the nest is in some measure artificially elevated, as if to 

 avoid the access of expected tides. The eggs are 2 to 4 : both sexes 

 take their turns at incubation, and at such times fold their long legs 

 to the body. 



The genus consists of 4 species, dispersed respectively over as 

 many quarters of the globe. In form and habits they are closely 

 related to the Stilts (Himantopus.) 



