AVOCET. 175 



during which exercise it nods with its head at every stroke; 

 but it seems to like to float rather than to swim.' 



'The flight of the present species is very different from 

 that of most others of its family, owing in part to its 

 bending its wings into perfect arches during their movements ; 

 the wings are either beaten in quick succession, or more 

 moderately, according to the pleasure of the bird. During 

 the breeding-season they fly great distances, low over the 

 surface of the water, but -pursue their migratory journey at 

 a great elevation. The form of the Avocet, when on the 

 wing, is particularly strange, in consequence of the head being 

 drawn close to the body, with the beak bent somewhat 

 downwards, and the legs projected out very far behind. On 

 alighting, it opens its wings, for a moment, high above the 

 back, and then closes them very carefully.' 



When the female is frightened off the nest, she flies round 

 and round with drooped legs and extended neck, counterfeiting 

 every sign of disablement, and crying out with alarm, or the 

 desire to distract attention. They are quick and active in 

 their movements. Avocets are sociable birds among themselves, 

 but shy in their" general character. They travel usually in 

 small numbers, but sometimes unite in large flocks. They 

 build in companies. Montagu writes, 'The singular form of 

 the bill led Buffon, according to his absurd atheistical 

 tendency, to suppose it to be 'one of those errors or essays 

 of nature, which, if carried a little further, would destroy 

 itself; for if the curvature of the bill were a degree increased, 

 the bird could not procure any sort of food, and the organ 

 destined for the support of life, would infallibly occasion its 

 destruction.' The bill of the Avocet may therefore be 

 regarded as the extreme model which nature could trace, or 

 at least preserve. The modern doctrine of 'types' seems to 

 be a legitimate descendant of this nonsense.' 



They feed on aquatic insects, embryo Crustacea, shrimps, 

 and worms, and in search of these wade deep or not as the 

 case requires, but usually keep near the edge. The manner 

 in which they obtain their prey appears to be by scooping 

 with the concave part of the bill, from side to side in a 

 zigzag manner in the sand, and also in the water. A good 

 deal of gravel is swallowed with the food. 



The note or pipe is likened to the syllables 'kwee, kwee,' 

 or 'twit, twit.' 



The nest is said to be made in a hollow on some dry spot 



