STILT PHALAEOPE. Ill 



Eemainder of plumage white. Bill black, long, flattened, and 

 turned up at the point. Legs long, and pale blue. Length 18 in. 

 Female similar, but rather smaller. Young, duller. . 



Language. A. clear " kluit." 



Habits. Feeding principally on surface food, it wades 

 through the water, sweeping its curiously upturned bill from 

 side to side much like a man mowing grass with a scythe. It 

 is also a capable swimmer. Usually shy and quiet. 



Food. Small Crustacea, worms, insects. 



Nidification. Breeds in Europe and Africa. 



BLACK- WINGED STILT (Himantopus candidus). 



An irregular visitor, chiefly to the south and east of England, 

 from Southern Europe. In appearance it much resembles the 

 Avocet in its pied plumage, but has longer legs and a straight 

 bill. Its note is a clear " pee-pee-pee." 



GEEY PHALAEOPE (Plialaropus fulicarius). 



An irregular visitor, sometimes appearing in considerable 

 numbers on our south-eastern, south-western, and southern 

 coasts. 



Plumage. It has not been observed here in breeding plumage, 

 in which the predominant colouring is chestnut. In autumn 

 and winter the prevailing tint is grey. Back of head black. 

 Forehead, sides of head, throat, and under parts white. Back 

 of neck, secondaries, and back pearl grey. Bill black. Legs 

 and feet yellow. Toes lobed. Length 7J in. Female : larger, 

 8J in., and brighter. Young : in winter dress more sandy above, 

 and tawny on breast. 



Language. A sharp "tweet." 



Habits. A good swimmer, being aided by its lobate toes. 

 Fond of paddling about in shallow water looking for food, and 

 keeping up an incessant twittering. 



Food. Small Crustacea, marine insects, larvaB, and other 

 small aquatic creatures. 



Nidification. Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



EED-NECKED PHALAEOPE (Plialaropus hijperboreus). 



An irregular visitor like last. A miserable remnant still 

 remain to breed in the Shetlands, Orkneys, and outer 

 Hebrides. 



Haunts. Brackish waters, freshwater ponds, and the like. 



Plumage. Male smaller and duller than female. Head, 

 back of neck, and shoulders ash-grey. Upper parts darker 

 grey, mixed with rufous. White bar on wings. Neck chestnut. 



