RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA. 678 
the species at Port Elizabeth and East London, but it is not 
plentiful at either place; he found them breeding on Cove Rock 
near Hast London. Mr. Ayres says: ‘ These curious birds 
are very scarce in Natal; they frequent the sea-shore, are active 
in their habits, and run with considerable swiftness ; they feed 
along the sandy beaches; on the receding of a wave they run 
quickly into the shallow water, and inserting their wedge-shaped 
bill up to their heads in the sand, haul out small crabs, which having 
secured, they run high and dry to devour atleisure.”” Mr. Andersson 
writes as follows: “ This species is not uncommon on the mainland 
of the South-west African coast, as well as on the adjacent islands, in 
which latter localities it breeds. It is usually observed in pairs; 
but I have seen it in considerable flocks at Walwich Bay late in 
October and early in November : the birds composing these flocks are 
always too shy to be approached within gunshot; they rise with a 
shrill ery, which is continued during their flight ; and they generally 
soar to a great height before re-alighting, sometimes, indeed, taking 
their departure altogether, on which occasions they generally steer to 
the northward. This species feeds on worms, insects, and mollusca, 
searching for the latter in crevices and under stones; and whilst 
thus engaged it sometimes swims a short distance from rock to rock. 
It makes no nest, but deposits its eggs on the shingle of the beach ; 
these are four in number, of a drab colour, with eccentric streaks 
and spots of very dark brown. I have been told that the flesh of 
this Oystercatcher is excellent, but have not myself tasted it.” 
All over a deep black; bill and cere round the eyes in life, coral 
red ; legs deep crimson ; bill, 2” 8” long, flattened throughout, and 
very much compressed at the point. 
Fam. SCOLOPACIDZ. 
647. RecurvirostRA avoceTta (JZ.). Avocet. 
The Bonte Elsje, lit. ‘‘ pied cobbler’s awl,” occurs periodically in the 
colony in small flocks. It does not appear to be very shy, as many 
have been yearly procured on Zeekoe Vley, on the Simon’s Town 
and Wynberg road; among them several specimens in very young 
plumage. Mr. Henry Jackson killed two or three specimens near 
Nel’s Poort in February, 1866; at the same time, Mr. W. Keal 
procured some near Beaufort. 
2x 
ie 
