bill, very slender and curved upward; legs, very long 

 and of a lead color; feet, webbed. 



Nest and Eggs The nest contains three to four eggs 

 of a pale olive, spotted with brown. 



Measurements Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 



8, and bill, 3y 2 inches. 



THE BLACK-NECKED STILT 



(Himantopus mexicanus) 



The black-necked stilt is the other representative of 

 the family. The stilt breeds as far north as eastern 

 Oregon, but is little seen north of southern California 

 in the winter. From there south it is plentiful. It may 

 be easily known by the back of its head and neck, its 

 back being black and the rest of the plumage nearly 

 pure white. Its legs are a dark pink. 



Color Wings, back, back of neck and top of head, 

 black; balance of the plumage, white; legs, dark pink 

 and very long. Toes, three and partly webbed. 



Nest and Eggs The nest is rarely anything but bare 

 ground on which is deposited three to four eggs of a 

 pale brown, spotted with dark brown. 



Measurements Total length, about 15% inches; wing, 



9, and bill 2% inches. 



127 



