GENUS RECURVIROSTRA — LINN. 



AVOCET. 



[Bill more than twice the length of the head, depressed, tapering, straight for 

 half its length, lower in the middle, raising toward the point which is decurved ; 

 head small, compressed, rounded above ; neck long — body full — wirgs long — 

 tail short, even, of twelve feathers — legs very long — feet long, slender — hind toe 

 very small — anterior toes connected by deeply emarginate webs.] 



RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA— LINN. 



AMERICAN AVOCET. 



Recurvirostra Americana, Wils. Ainer. Orn. 



Recurvirostra Americana, Bonap. Syn. 



American Avocel, Recurvirostra Americana, Sw. & Rich. 



American Avocet, Nutt. Man. 



American Avocet, Recurvirostra Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific. Character — Loral space white ; neck and fore part of 

 breast reddish-buff; lower parts, the back, and tail white ; a band 

 of black on the fore part of the back ; inner scapulars black, outer 

 white ; inner secondaries white ; wings black, with a broad band 

 of white, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts ; lower por- 

 tion of tibia naked ; legs blue. Length eighteen inches, wing nine. 



The habits of this bird are very similar to those of the Stilt, to 

 which in form it has some resemblance. It is less frequent with 

 us than the preceding, and is not generally known to our gunners. 

 It frequents the shallow pools in the salt marshes, and like the for- 

 mer species, is sometimes seen wading breast-deep in pursuit of its 

 favorite fare. 



A few breed at Egg Harbor, where they are called " Blue- 

 stocking," their legs being of that color. Its nest is built among 

 the thick tufts of grass, usually near some favorite pool, making 

 use of similar materials in its construction as the Stilt. The num- 

 ber of eggs is also the same, and differ only in having the ground 

 color dull olive. A few are seen in various parts of the United 

 States ; and they are said to be very abundant in the Fur countries. 



