294 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



spawn, which constitute its chief food. Its long legs enable it to 

 travel in safety over swamps and lagoons ; it also swims with great 

 ease. It may often be seen looking for its food on the margins of 

 lakes and ponds. 



The Avocet stands about twenty inches in height, although its 

 body is but little larger than a pigeon's. It is a pretty bird, of slen- 

 der make ; its plumage is black on the head and back, and white 

 underneath. It is to be met with on both the Continents; the 

 European species is common in Holland and on the French coast. 

 Wild and shy in its nature, it is very difficult of approach, and is 

 clever in avoiding snares, and ingenious in escaping pursuit, either 



Fig. 109. Avocet. 



by flight or swimming. The nest of the Avocet is a very simple 

 structure, generally made by placing a few blades of grass in a hole 

 in the sand, where it lays two or three eggs, of which it is frequently 

 robbed ; for, like those of the Plover and others, its congeners, they 

 are regarded as great delicacies by the gourmand. The flesh, how- 

 ever, is of little value. 



The Stilt Birds (Himantopus candidus, Fig. no) obtain their name 

 from the excessive length of their legs, which are also so slender and 

 flexible that they can be bent considerably without breaking. Their 

 feet are not so completely webbed as the species we have just men- 

 tioned ; the two membranes which unite the toes are unequal in 

 size. The bill is long, slender, and sharp, like that of the Avocet, 

 but straight ; the wings are long and pointed ; the tail small. They 

 are about the size of the Avocet, and sometimes attain the height of 

 twenty-six inches. They possess considerable powers of flight, but 

 walk with difficulty ; on the other hand, they are much at home on 



