RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA. 005 



May, 1868, and was again seen swimming in the alkaline ponds along the 

 southern shore of Great Salt Lake, in June, 18G9. 



Faaiily RECURVIR0STEIDJ5— Avocets and Stilts. 



ReCURVIROSTRA AMERICANA. 

 American Avocet. 



Rccurvirostra americana, Gmelin, Sj-st. Nat., 1, 1788, G93.— Cassin, in Baird's B. 

 N. Am., 185S, 70;].— Baiud, Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 517.— CouES, Ko.v, 

 1872, U7,Gg. 159; Cbcck List, 1873, No. 407; Birds N.W., 1874, 460.— Hen- 

 SUAW, 1875, 418. 



This abundant bird is confined chiefly to the vicinity of the alkaline 

 ponds or lakes, where it is usually found in the most barren places, or 

 where the bare earth is covered chiefly with an alkaline efflorescence. At 

 the Soda LaJces, on the Carson Desert, it was particularly abundant, and 

 appeared to be feeding on a kind of insect thrown by the surf upon the 

 beach. It was not met with in the Sacramento Valley, but was first seen 

 at the Truckee Meadows, where it was abundant in July in some alkaline 

 marshes. Its local names are "Lawyer" and "Yelper" in most localities 

 where it is known. 



List of specimens. 



811, (J ad.; Soda Lake, Carson Desert, Nevada, June 28, 1868. 18 — 29^ — (?J— 7. 

 Bill deep black; iris, burnt-umber; tarsi and toes, ashy-blue. 



812. ejiffs (4) ; 813, eggs (3) ; 814, egg (1). Same locality and date. Eggs depos- 

 ited in (lei)ressious in the alkaline deposit. 



1071, S ad.; near Salt Lake City, May 29, 1869. ISjJ— 36J. Bill, deep black ; 

 iris, brown ; legs and feet, plumbeous-blue. 



1107, <? ad.; Antelope Island, Salt Lake, June 5, 1869. 18^—31. Same re- 

 marks. 



1218, 1219, 1220, 1221 (eggs); Carriugton Island, Salt Lake, Juno 17, 1869. (Col- 

 lected by Mr. R. N. Davis and Mr. S. Watson.) 



