HIS NOTES ON THE LILFORD COLLECTION 265 



Avocets, with their curiously delicate up-turned 

 beaks, their plumage of pure black and white, 

 and their long grey legs and half-webbed feet. 

 These pretty and interesting birds were formerly 

 common in certain parts of England, and bred 

 in considerable numbers upon the coast of 

 Norfolk, but have now become scarce from the 

 persecution of gunners and egg-stealers. My 

 Avocets were sent to me from Holland. 



' We have also several Sea Pies, better known 

 perhaps as Oyster-catchers, and a good many 

 other small wading birds such as Curlew, Godwits 

 of both species, Kuffs and Eeeves, Eedshanks 

 and Knots. The antics of the Ruffs during May 

 and June are most amusing. 



' As I believe that the breeding of the Wood- 

 pigeon in captivity is not a common occurrence, 

 I mention that a pair of these birds nested and 

 laid four times last year in the compartment of 

 the aviary nearest to the house at Lilford, and 

 reared three young birds to maturity. I have a 

 fine pair of the Wood-pigeon peculiar to the 

 island of Madeira (Columba trocaz), and many of 

 the very beautiful Crested Doves of Australia, 

 which breed freely in the bushes of the aviary. 



