110 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



226. Black-necked Stilt. Himantopus mexicanus. 



Range. Like the last, this species is rarely found east of the Mississippi, 

 but is very abundant in the United States west of that river. 



A black and white wader, with extreme- 

 ly long red legs; otherwise a gracefully 

 formed bird. It breeds in large colonies 

 anywhere in its range, making its nests 

 of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on 

 the ground beside of, or in the marshes. 

 Their eggs number three or four and are 

 brownish or greenish buff with numerous 

 markings of brownish black, these mark- 

 ings being somewhat lengthened and 

 mostly running lengthwise of the shell. 

 They nest during April in the southern 

 [Greenish buff.j parts of their range and through May 



and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 x 1.25. Data. Freshwater Lake, 

 southern California, June 5, 1891. 4 eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's 

 edge; no nest. Collector, Evan Davis. 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Family SCOLOPACIDAE. 



Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size, 

 and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along the coasts. 

 They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing 

 in the soft mud. 



227. European Woodcock. Scolopax rusticola. 



This European bird is similar to the American -Woodcock, 'but is larger and is 

 barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our species. 



228. American Woodcock. Philohela minor. 



Range. Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces , breeding 

 throughout its range. 



This is one of the most eagerly sought game 

 birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and 

 erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whist- 

 ling sound made by the rapid motion of the 

 wings; it requires a skillful marksman to bring 

 them down. They frequent boggy places es- 

 pecially "runs" lined with alders, where they 

 bore in the soft ground for worms and grubs. 

 Their eggs are laid upon the bare ground 

 among the leaves and sticks; they are of about 

 the color of dead leaves, as is also the bird, 

 making it quite difficult to discover their nests. 

 They lay three or four eggs of a buffy color, with 

 yellowish brown spots. Size 1.50 x 1.15. 



[ Ihirty gray 



