SHORE BIRDS 



AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRID^ 



225. AvocET. Recurvirostra americana. 



Range. — Western North America, breeding 

 north to Northwest Territory. 



The Avocet can be known from any other bird 

 by its up-curved bill, light plumage, webbed feet 

 and large size (length about 17 inches). These 

 waders are quite numerous in suitable localities 



American Avocet 

 Black-necked Stilt. 



throughout the west, constructing their nests in 

 the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest is 

 simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground. 

 They lay three or four eggs of a dark greenish 

 or brownish buff color, boldly marked with 

 brown and black. Size 1.90 xl.30. Data. — Rush 

 Lake, Assiniboia. Four eggs laid in a depression 

 in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds 

 nesting in the colony. 



226. Black-necked Stilt. 



IJimantopus mexicanus. 



Range. — Like the last, this species is rarely 

 found east of the Mississippi, but is very abund- 

 ant in the United States west of that river. 



A black and white wader, with ex- 

 eremely long red legs; otherwise a grace- 

 fully formed bird. It breeds in large 

 colonies anywhere in its range, making 

 its nests of weeds and sometimes a few 

 twigs, on the ground beside of, or in the 

 marshes. Their eggs number three or 

 four and are brownish or greenish buff 

 with numerous markings of brownish 

 black, these markings being somewhat 

 lengthened and mostly running length- 

 wise of the shell. They nest during 

 April in the southern parts of their 

 range and through May and June in the 

 northern. Size of eggs 1.80x1.25. Data. — Freshwater Lake, southern Califor- 

 nia, June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; uo nest. 

 Collector, Evan Davis. 



139 



Greenish buff. 



