THE AMERICAN AVOCET. 



687 



the neck ami bill being outstretched to fullest capacit}-, to offset the long- 

 rudder of the legs. 



How exactly fitted these handsome creatures are to their somewhat unique 

 environment, may not be fully realized until one attempts to wade thru their 

 oozy haunts. The bottom here is very treacherous, with frequent concealed 

 pitfalls and subaqueous passages. Both Mr. Bowles and myself shipped water 

 in our hip boots repeatedly, in spite of the greatest precaution ; and once I went 



Taken in Douglas County. 



Photo by the Author. 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE AMERIC.\N AVOCET. 



into a hole so neatlv, with both feet, that I had a miimentar\" vision of total 

 disappearance, and shouted in terror. Fortunately, however, the sides held 

 when my outstretched hands met them. But the bird is prepared to meet any 

 inequalitv of bottom, since it does not fear submergence, and the legs are 

 carried at a slight angle, that is. di\'ergent, to preserve the equilibrium and 

 guard against sudden surprise. 



In feeding along the water's edge, or at moderate dei^ths, the Avocet 



