100 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



Food. — Small Crustacea, worms, insects. 

 Nidification. — Breeds in Europe and Africa. 



BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus candidus). 



An irregular visitor, chiefly to the south and east 

 of England, from southern Europe. In appearance 

 it much resembles the Avocet in its pied plumage, 

 but has longer pink legs and a straight bill. Its note 

 is a clear " pee-pee-pee." 



SMEW {Mergus alhellus). 



A winter visitor to our coasts. 



Haunts. — The sea, inland fresh-water lakes, &c. 



Plumage. — Forehead, crown, crest, neck, and under 

 parts white ; black patch before or below the eye, and 

 greenish black triangular patch on crest. Back black. 

 Scapulars white, edged with black. Lesser wing-coverts 

 white ; greater coverts black, barred narrowly twice 

 with white. Quills and tail-feathers brownish black. 

 Flanks finely vermiculated with grey. Bill, legs, and 

 feet lead-colour. Length 17J in. Female : much 

 smaller ; head reddish brown ; nuchal stripe and collar 

 ash-grey ; otherwise resembling male. Young, upper 

 parts mottled with grey. 



Habits. — Very wary and shy. Flight very rapid. An 

 excellent diver, seeking its food under water. It is 

 altogether out of its element on land, walking awkwardly 

 owing to the backward position of the legs. 



Food. — Fish, Crustacea, &c. 



Nidification. — Breeds in Northern Europe and Asia. 



