538 THE BLACK-NECKED STILT. 



a scythe-like motion, and the bird keeps up a sort of dabbling, as it tests the 

 various objects of food encountered. 



The Avocet is a bold wader, pushing out into the pond breast deep. If 

 it gets beyond its depth it is nowise concerned, for it swims readily, and can 

 dive, also, if necessary. 



There are several records of its occurrence in our state since Wheaton's 

 time, but it can be regarded as little more than a casual visitor. It was 

 formerly not uncommon in the Middle States, and Audubon based his splendid 

 description upon a pair observed at Vincennes, Indiana. 



No. 253. 



BLACK-NECKED STILT. 



A. O. U. No. 226. Himantopus mexicanus (Mull). 



Description. Adult male: A white spot above eye and another below eye 

 nearly meeting behind ; forehead, region about the base of bill, rump, upper tail- 

 coverts, and entire under parts, except lining of wing, white ; tail ashy gray above ; 

 remaining plumage glossy, greenish black ; bill black ; eye red ; legs and feet lake 

 red (drying yellow). Adult female: Similar to adult male, but back and scapu- 

 lars margined with buffy or whitish ; the black of head and neck finely marked with 

 the same. Length 15.00 (381.) ; wing 9.00 (228.6) ; tail 3.00 (76.2) ; bill 2.60 

 (66.); tarsus 4.20 (106.7); exposed portion of tibia 3.25 (82.6). 



Recognition Marks. Little Hawk to Crow size ; black and white in masses 

 strongly contrasting, and very long legs distinctive. 



Nesting. Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, a depression in the ground, 

 lined with grasses. Eggs, 3 or 4, dark ochraceous or olive-drab, heavily spotted 

 and blotched with chocolate-brown and blackish. Av. size, 1.75 x 1.25 (44.5 x 

 31.8). 



General Range. Temperate North America from northern United States 

 southward to the West Indies, northern Brazil, and Peru. Rare in eastern United 

 States except in Florida. 



Range in Ohio. Rare summer visitor. May perhaps have bred. 



IN spite of its slender proportions, the Stilt is a graceful bird, pleasing 

 because of its dexterity in handling such an unusual equipment. In feeding 

 the long legs are bent sharply backward at the middle joint (the heel), and 

 the long neck and bill make inspection of the ground or the surface of the 

 water easy and rapid. Unlike the Avocet, the Stilt is afraid to go beyond its 

 depth, and makes a poor show at swimming. 



Besides those said by Mr. Winslow to have been taken on Lake Erie, there 

 is only one record of this bird's occurrence in the state, by Mr. Charles Dury 

 of Cincinnati and it has not been reported from Ontario, or from any of 

 the neighboring states save (doubtfully) Michigan. 



