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THE STIT.T PLOVER.* 



To adopt a part of the interesting description of Gilbert White : " It must be matter 

 of great curiosity to see the Stilt Plover move ; to see how it can wield such a length of 

 lever with such feeble muscles as the thighs seem to be furnished with. At least, one 

 should expect it to be but a bad walker ; but what adds to the wonder is, that it has no 

 back toe. Now without that steady prop to support its steps, it must be liable, in specu- 

 lation, to perpetual vacillations, and seldom able to preserve the true centre of gravity. 

 The old name oi mmantopus is taken from Pliny, and, by an awkward metaphor, implies 

 that the legs are as slender and pliant as if cut out of a thong of leather." 



Mr. Gould states that this genus, although widely distributed, contains only two weU- 

 authenticated species, one of which has furnished our illustration, and the other is known 

 in North America. 



* Charadrius Himantopus. — Penn. 



