24 LONG-LEGGED AVOSET. 



found. They occasionally visit tlie shore, wading about in the water, 

 and in the mud, in search of food, which they scoop up very dexterously 

 with their delicately formed bills. On being wounded while in the 

 water, they attempt to escape by diving, at which they are by no means 

 expert. In autumn, their flesh is tender, and well tasted. They seldom 

 raise more than one brood in the season, and depart for the south early 

 in September. As they are well known in Jamaica, it is probable some 

 of them may winter in that and other of the West India Islands. 



Mr. Pennant observes that this bird is not a native of northern 

 Europe ; and there have been but few instances where it has been seen 

 in Great Britain. It is common, says Latham, in Egypt, being found 

 there in the marshes in October. It is likewise plentiful about the salt 

 lakes ; and is often seen on the shores of the Caspian Sea, as well as 

 by the rivers which empty themselves into it ; and in the southern 

 deserts of Independent Tartary. The same author adds, on the 

 authority of Ray, that it is known at Madras in the East Indies. 



All the figures and descriptions which I have seen of this curious 

 bird, represent the bill as straight, and of almost an equal thickness 

 throughout, which I have never found so in any of the numerous speci- 

 mens I have myself shot and examined. Many of these accounts, as 

 well as figures, have been taken from dried and stuffed skins, which give 

 but an imperfect, and often erroneous, idea of the true outlines of 

 nature. The dimensions, colors and markings, of a very beautiful 

 specimen, newly shot, were as follow : 



Length from the point of the bill to the end of the tail fourteen 

 inches, to the tips of the wings sixteen ; extent twenty-eight inches ; 

 bill three inches long, slightly curved upwards, tapering to a fine 

 point, the upper mandible rounded above, the whole of a deep black 

 color ; nostrils an oblong slit, pervious ; tongue short, pointed ; fore- 

 head, spot behind the eye, lower eyelid, sides of the neck, and whole 

 lower parts, pure white ; back, rump and tail coverts, also white, but so 

 concealed by the scapulars as to appear black ; tail even, or very 

 slightly forked, and of a dingy white ; the vent feathers reach to the 

 tip of the tail below ; line before the eye, auriculars, back part of the 

 neck, scapulars, and whole wings, deep black, richly glossed with green ; 

 legs and naked thighs a fine pale carmine; the latter measure three, 

 the former four inches and a half in length, exceedingly thin, and so 

 flexible that they may be bent considerably without danger of breaking. 

 This thinness of the leg enables the bird to wade with expedition, and 

 without fatigue. Feet three-toed, the outer toe connected to the middle 

 one by a broad membrane ; wings long, extending two inches beyond 

 the tail, and sharp pointed ; iridcs a bright rich scarlet ; pupil black. 

 In some, the white from the breast extends quite round the neck, sepa- 



