Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 



393 



Avocet. 



The Avocet is of occasional occurrence in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

 Nelson says (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 124) : "A rare migrant, gener- 

 ally occurs in small parties the last of April and the first or May and 

 during September and the first of October. Frequents the borders 

 of marshy pools." Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kum- 

 lien and Hollister say: "Specimens of this peculiar wader were taken 

 by Thure Kumlien at different times from 1844 to 1875. Three were 

 shot on Lake Koshkonong, September, 1873. Bred in Green Bay 

 in 1879, where downy young were seen in the possession of a taxider- 

 mist, by L. Kumlien. Those taken by Thure Kumlien were more 

 often taken in September and October and were principally young 

 birds. A specimen in the Milwaukee Public Museum is labelled 

 'Wis.' At the present time it must be considered as exceptionally 

 rare." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 42.) "East of the Mississippi 

 it breeds from Illinois northward." (W. W. Cooke, Bird Migr. 

 Miss.' Val., 1888, p. 90.) 



The nest is merely a depression in the ground in marshy places. 

 The eggs are three or four, olive clay color, marked and spotted with 

 chocolate brown, and measure about 2 x 1.40 inches. 



