56 ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY. 
As might be expected under such circumstances, the Birds 
are able to swim. There are about seven species of Oyster- 
catcher, spread over all the great divisions of the earth’s surface. 
A great contrast to these Birds is presented by the Stilt 
(Himantopus melanopterus), with its very slender beak and 
exceedingly long legs. It is occasionally seen in England, but 
there are ten other species of the genus, four of which are found 
in the Australian region and two in America. The two 
American species and one Australian one are very often sepa- 
rated off and united with the graceful and singular Avocet 
Fig. 56. 





The Oyster-catcher (Hematopus ostralegus). 
(fig. 58) into a separate genus termed Reeurvirostra. The Avocet 
used to breed in England in Romney Marsh and the marshes of 
our Eastern Counties, but drainage has been fatal to it here and 
in many other places, and it is said only to breed now, in 
Northern Europe, in the islands off the coasts of Holland and 
Denmark. The delicate recurved beak of the Avocet when once 
seen can never be forgotten. 
But a still more singular and absolutely peculiar bill is 
