122 BiKDS OK XOKTII CaKOLIXA 



Range. — Nortli Ainorica, raie east of the Mississippi, breeding from Xorthern Texas to the 

 Canadian line, wintering from southern Texas to Central Amerira. 

 Range in North Carolina. — Once observed near Beaufort. 



" Avocets are common l)irds in parts of the interior of tlu^ United States, but are 

 rare on the Atlantic coast. They freciiient shores and shallow pools, and in .search- 

 ing for shells, Crustacea, etc., their peculiar recurved hill is used in a most interesting 

 manner. Dropping it beneath the surface of the water imtil its convexity touches 

 the l)ottom, they move rapidly forward, and with every step swing their Ijill from 

 side to side, as a mower does his scythe. In this way they secure food which the 

 muddy water would prevent them from seeing." (Chap., Birflf nf E. X. A.) 



%* 



Pig. 83. Avocet. 



A flock seen by Coues near Fort Macon, Septemlx-r 12, ISO!), is our onlj- record 

 for North Carohna. 



Genus Himantopus (Briss.) 



101. Himantopus mexicanus [MiiU.). BL.\tK-\ECKKD Stilt. 



Ad. cf . — A white spot above and another below eye; front of liead, front of neck, lower 

 b.ack, rump, and undcrp.-irts white; tail grayish; rest of plumage glossy, greenish black. Ad. 

 9. — Simihir, but with l>ack fusc()us-l)r()wn, Juv. — Similar. l)Ut wiiole n|)perparts margined 

 with rusty. L., 1.^.00; \V., 9.00; Tar., 4.1."); B., 2.00. (Chap., Bird.'i of E. \. A.) 



Rtiiigc. — Breeds locally from central Oregon to Florida and the West Indies; winters from 

 the (iulf Coast to Peru. 



Range in North Carolina. — Once tak(>n in Dare County, near tlie ocean beach. 



A moinit(>d Stilt is to be found in the nniseum at Trinity College, Durham, North 

 Carohna. Kev. S. T. Moyle of Mount Ciileatl, who took the specimen, has written 

 us as follows: "I think it was during June, 1900, I was shooting shore-birds on 

 the Ix'ach south of Nag's Head, Dare County, when I saw this bird with a flock 

 of Yellowlcgs. I tried to secure it, but only cripplctl it. A friend who was with 

 me then killed it and gave it to me." Bishop informs us that he saw a mounted 

 specimen at Manteo, Roanoke Island, Dare County, in May 1902. It was in the 

 possession of a minister, and he understood it had been shot in the spring of 1901 

 or 1902. Apparently both statements refer to the same bird, as the Trinity College 

 sj)('cini('u remained at Manteo for some years before ])eing brought to Durham. 



