Oen. Recurvirostra. — Linn. 



Bill long, thin J the keel flattened, the tips turned upwards ; toes 

 united by webs; hind toe short. 



Recurvirostra avocetta, Linn -, P. E. 353 ; Gould. B. Eur. pi. 

 289; Jerd. B. Ind. iii. 1, 248; Murray, Hdhh., Zool., Sfc, 8ind, 

 p. 222. — The Avosbt, Scooper or Crooked-bill. 



Forehead in some specimens faintly white, otherwise black ; crown, 

 lores, nape and back of the neck black ; scapulars, lesser wing-coverts 

 and upper tertials black ; primaries black, some of the inner ones with 

 their inner webs white ; secondaries and some of the tertials white ; 

 chin, throat, neck in front, lower neck behind, lower back, rump, 

 upper tail-coverts and entire under surface white. 



Length. — 17 to 18 inches, bill oS inches, curved upwards, black j 

 wing 8-5, tail 3, tarsus 3-62 ; irides red brown, legs pale bluish grey. 



Hah. — Throughout India during winter; S. E. Europe, Lower Egypt, 

 Senegal and Persia. Common in Sind, in large flocks inland, on almost 

 every large sheet of water, especially on the Munchur Lake and along 

 the edges of tanks, &c. Occasionally affects the sea coast and Kurrachee 

 harbour, but by preference the inland waters. Breeds probably in 

 Persia. In Upper India the Avocet is less common, and rather rare 

 in Kutch, Jodhpore and N. Guzcrat. 



Gen. Himantopus. —i?m5. 



Bill long and straight ; toes webbed only at the base ; nostrils linear ; 

 hind toe wanting. 



Himantopus intermedius, Blyth, Cat. 1573; Qonkl. B. Eur. 

 pi. 289. Himantopus candidus, Jerd. B. Ind. iii. p. 704 ; Murray, 

 Hdhk., Zool., 8fc., Sind, p. 222.— The Stilt. 



In winter plumage, the forehead, lores, chin, throat, entire lower parts, 

 lower back and rump white ; crown of the head dusky or dark ash ; 

 neck behind ashy grey, the feathers tipped with white ; upper back and 

 scapulars brown, the feathers with pale tippings ; primaries dark brown, 

 the inner ones tipped white ; secondaries also with white tips ; central 

 tail feathers very pale grey, the rest white. In the breeding plumage 

 the primaries, secondaries, scapulars, tertiaries and upper back are rich 

 glossy black, with greenish reflections ; the crown of the head dusky or 

 dark brown, spreading over and below the eyes. 



Length. — 15 to 16 inches, wing 8"5 to 9, tail 3, bill black, reddish at 

 the base, 2'75 inches in length, tarsi 4*5 to 5-5 ; irides blood red, legs 

 and feet lake red. 



Hab. — India generally, in large flocks during winter, frequenting 

 margins of lakes and ponds, also banks of rivers. Breeds in Sind 

 during June in the Narra Districts. Eggs 2 — 4 in number, of a pale blue 

 colour, spotted and speckled with dark brown and olive green. Incuba- 

 tion 18 to 20 days. The young are said to leave the nest immediately 



