BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 



233 



BLACK-NECKED STILT {Himantopus mexicanus). 



Length. — About 15 inches; front toes half-webbed. 



Adult Male. — Crown, back of head and neck, most of back and wings black; 

 forehead, patch over eye, chin, throat, rump^ tail and under parts 

 white; eyes carmine; legs bright carmine, exceedingly long; bill black, 

 slender and longer than head. 



Adult Female. — Similar, but browner above. 



Young. — Mantle ashy brown; feathers pale-edged. 



Field Marks. — Large size, exceedingly long red legs and black or blackish 

 upper parts distinguish it from all other shore birds. 



Notes. — A sharp, rapid ip-ip-ip when flying; a hoarse k-r-r-r-r-ing note 

 when on the ground (Chapman). 



Range. — Temperate North America and northern South America. Breeds 

 from central Oregon, northern Utah and southern Colorado to southern 

 California, southern New Mexico, southern Texas, coast of Louisiana 

 and in Mexico, and from central Florida and Bahamas to northern 

 Brazil and Peru; formerly north to New Jersey; winters from southern 

 Lower California, southern Texas, southern Louisiana and southern 

 Florida south through Central America and the West Indies to north- 

 ern Brazil, Peru and the Galapagos; casual north in migration to 

 Nebraska, Wisct)nsin and New Brunswick. 



