538 THE BLACK-NECKED STILT. 
a scythe-like motion, and the bird keeps up a sort of dabbling, as it tests the 
various objects of food encountered. 
The Avocet is a bold wader, pushing out into the pond breast deep. If 
it gets beyond its depth it is nowise concerned, for it swims readily, and can 
dive, also, if necessary. 
There are several records of its occurrence in our state since \Wheaton’s 
time, but it can be regarded as little more than a casual visitor. It was 
formerly not uncommon in the Middle States, and Audubon based his splendid 
description upon a pair observed at Vincennes, Indiana. 
No. 253. 
BEACK-ENECKED SiiLik: 
YA. O. U. No. 226. Himantopus mexicanus ( Mull.). 
Description.—Adult male: A white spot above eye and another below eye 
nearly meeting behind; forehead, region about the base of bill, rump, upper tail- 
coverts, and entire under parts, except lining of wing, white; tail ashy gray above; 
remaining plumage glossy, greenish black; bill black; eye red; legs and feet lake 
red (drying yellow). Adult female: Similar to adult male, but back and scapu- 
lars margined with buffy or whitish; the black of head and neck finely marked with 
the same. Length 15.00 (381.); wing 9.00 (228.6) ; tail 3.00 (76.2); bill 2.60 
(66.) ; tarsus 4.20 (106.7) ; exposed portion of tibia 3.25 (82.6). 
Recognition Marks.—Little Hawk to Crow size; black and white in masses 
strongly contrasting, and very long legs distinctive. 
Nesting.—Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, a depression in the ground, 
lined with grasses. Eggs, 3 or 4, dark ochraceous or olive-drab, heavily spotted 
and blotched with chocolate-brown and blackish. Av. size, 1.75 X 1.25 (44.5 x 
218))k 
General Range.—Temperate North America from northern United States 
southward to the West Indies, northern Brazil, and Peru. Rare in eastern United 
States except in Florida. 
Range in Ohio.—Rare summer visitor. May perhaps have bred. 
IN spite of its slender proportions, the Stilt is a graceful bird, pleasing 
because of its dexterity in handling such an unusual equipment. In feeding 
the long legs are bent sharply backward at the middle joint (the heel), and 
the long neck and bill make inspection of the ground or the surface of the 
water easy and rapid. Unlike the Avocet, the Stilt is afraid to go beyond its 
depth, and makes a poor show at swimming. 
Besides those said by Mr. Winslow to have been taken on Lake Erie, there 
is only one record of this bird’s occurrence in the state——by Mr. Charles Dury 
of Cincinnati—and it has not been reported from Ontario, or from any of 
the neighboring states save (doubtfully) Michigan. 
