CHARADRIID.E. 



561 



THE AVOCET. 



Recurvirostra avocetta, Linnaeus. 



This remarkable bird was formerly a regular summer-visitor to 

 England, and bred in considerable numbers in suitable localities, such 

 as the coasts and estuaries of the Humber district, Lincolnshire, Nor- 

 folk and Suffolk. Reclamation of fen-land gradually circumscribed 

 its haunts, and moreover a large colony at Salthouse appears to have 

 been destroyed in consequence of a demand for Avocet's feathers for 

 dressing artificial flies ; while the collection of its eggs also contributed 

 to the decrease of the species, and nesting in England had probably 

 ceased by 1824. Small parties still arrive in spring, and occasionally 

 in autumn, but the former are never allowed to breed, for the 

 amasser of " British-killed " specimens offers inducements to the local 

 gunners far exceeding the amount of any fine and costs that would 

 be imposed under the Wild Birds' Preservation Act in the event of 

 the offender's conviction. On the south coast the Avocet used to 

 nest on the flat shores of Kent and Sussex, to which it is now only a 

 visitor; while on the west side it is of rare occurrence and in the 



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