The A\OCet {Rccunnrostra americana) 



By Henry VV. Henshavv 



Length : ISy^ inches. 



Range: Breeds from eastern Oregon, central Alberta, and southern Mani 

 toba south to southern California, southern New Mexico, northwestern Texas, 

 northern Iowa, and central Wisconsin; winters from southern California and 

 southern Texas to southern Guatemala. 



Though not a game bird in any proper sense, the avocet finds mention here 

 because it furnishes a shining mark for the gunner, and in consequence has prac- 

 tically disappeared from the Atlantic coast. Numbers of avocets are still to bi 

 seen along the borders of sloughs and ponds in the far West, though even there 

 the bird by no means enjoys the immunity from persecution it deser\'es. Its 

 striking colors, its vociferous voice, long neck and bill, and its longer legs, com 

 bine to render the a\ocet so conspicuous that its only chance for safety rests in 

 seeing its enemies before it is seen by them. Its long legs have another function 

 as they enable the bird to wade in the shallows, where its food is chiefly obtained, 

 while its webbed toes enable it to swim easily when need arises. Its slender, 

 upward-curved bill may well excite wonder, but Nature knew what she was about 

 in designing it, for its form admirably adapts it for finding and seizing any pre\ 

 that may rest on the surface of the muddy ooze, or for probing for various 

 larval forms common in fresh water. It nests on the margins of the ponds which 

 it frequents, and no sooner does an intruder appear than it flies to meet him with 

 loud outcries that unmistakably betray the secret it is so anxious to conceal. 

 The avocet, so innocent and beautiful, is now protected by the Federal law and, 

 as its flesh is worthless, neither sportsmen nor gunners have any excuse for 

 slaughtering it. 



To a novice the compound curve of a scythe handle might seem an awkward 

 thing, but a little practice upon stubborn grass will justify its precise lines of 

 beauty. Similarly, the long upturned beak of the avocet appears quite out- 

 landish until one learns how perfectly it is adapted to its peculiar task. Since 

 the bird frequents brackish and muddy pools, as well as the margins of streams, 

 it does not depend largely upon eyesight in securing its prey, but thrusts its bill 

 under water imtil its convexity strikes the bottom. Then, guided by this "heel," 

 the bill is swayed rapidly from side to side with a scythe-like motion, and the 

 bird keeps up a sort of dabbling, as it tests the various objects of food encoun- 

 tered. 



The avocet is a bold wader, pushing out into the pond breast deep. If it 

 gets beyond its depth it is nowise concerned, for it swims readily, and can dive 

 also, if necessar)'. Long bill, long neck, long legs, web feet — a curious bird. 



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