BLACK-WIXGED STILT. 



HIMANTOPUS MELANOPTERUS. 



Back of the head and nape dusky ; back and wings black, with greenish reflec- 

 tions ; tail ash ; rest of the plumage white ; bill black ; irides crimson ; legs 

 vermilion. Length thirteen inches. Eggs pale blue, spotted with olive-green 

 and brown. 



An exceedingly rare visitor to the Britisli Islands ; re- 

 markable for the length and slenderness of its legs. Little 

 has been observed of its habits in this country. One that 

 was shot in Norfolk was seen "standing in a pool of 

 water, mid-leg deep, apparently snapping at insects in the 

 air as they buzzed about." When flying, " the legs were 

 extended behind, even more in proportion than those of 

 the Heron ; the wings were much arched ; the flight 

 vigorous and regular." Some interesting remarks on this 

 bird will be found in White's " Selborne." * 



* Page 287 of the edition published by the S.P.CK. 



