94 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 



3. THE SANDPIPERS fTringa, Calidris) ; shore-feeders, short-legged and gre- 

 garious, with, as a rule, a summer plumage differing much from that of winter. 



4. THE "SHANKS" (Totanus, etc.J ; shore-feeders, long-legged, partially web- 

 footed, and only moderately gregarious, not differing much in plumage at different 

 times of year. 



5. THE GODVVITS (Limosa), very close to the last, but having a very distinctive 

 summer and winter dress. 



6. -THE CURLEWS (NumeniusJ , with long decurved bill and no summer dress ; 

 feet partially webbed. 



Family S COL OP A CID/E. 



AVOCET. 



Recurvirostra avocetta, LINN. 



FOR half a century, or more, exterminated as a breeding bird in our country, 

 the Avocet is now only a casual visitor. Seeing that the reclaiming of 

 waste land, and its increased value to its possessor, has largely contributed to this 

 result, the ornithologist, however deeply he may privately regret the circumstance, 

 cannot offer any valid objection it is the march of progress, even if progress 

 seems to be partly towards the rear. But the merciless greed of collectors of 

 those who collect only to possess has also had a considerable share in pauperizing 

 our fauna ; it is greatly to be regretted that gentlemen of that turn of mind 

 (many of whom rank as naturalists save the mark !) do not confine their attention 

 to second-hand postage stamps. " Small flocks (of Avocets) still arrive in May, 

 .... but are never allowed to breed, for the amasser of British-killed specimens 

 offers to the local gunners inducements which far exceed the amount of any fine 

 and costs that would be imposed, even in the problematical event of the offender's 

 conviction under the feeble Wild Birds Preservation Act," (Saunders, Man. B. B. 



