LIST AND DESCRIPTION 65 



the time near the coast, and is only a migrant in South Dakota. 

 It nests north of the United States. 



Crown dark gray; throat white; sides of neck reddish 

 brown; breast rusty brown; back dark slate streaked with buff; 

 belly white. The male is about seven and one half inches long, 

 the female slightly larger and with more rufous plumage. 



224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Steganopus tricolor.) 



The Wilson is larger than the Northern Phalarope and 

 usually a common summer resident. In earlier years it nested 

 abundantly over the eastern part of the State. Female : crown 

 gray ; throat light ; a black line extends from the base of the bill 

 down the sides of the neck, blending into chestnut brown; back 

 gray patched with brown; under parts white. The male is 

 slightly smaller, with duller colors and darker crown. This 

 Phalarope is more terrestrial in habit than No. 223. 



FAMILY RECURVIROSTRID^E. AVOCETS 



225. AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana.) 



The Avocet, with its extremely long legs and bill and 

 very small body, is an odd looking bird and certainly a true 

 "wader." During August it is fairly common in migration west 

 of the Missouri River and doubtless breeds occasionally in that 

 part of the State. It is about seventeen inches long from tip 

 of bill to end of tail. Head and neck rufous, growing lighter 

 about the base of bill; under parts white; back and wings black 

 and white. The settling up of our wild land is driving the 

 Avocets westward, and their breeding grounds will soon be re- 

 stricted to the federal bird preserves of the western States. 



FAMILY SCOLOPACIDyE. SNIPES AND SANDPIPERS 

 228. WOODCOCK (Philohela minor.) 



Swamps and wet woodlands are the natural environment 

 of the Woodcock. It is therefore a rare visitant in South Dakota, 

 migrating from the east; and yet records of its occurrence are 

 rather numerous. A specimen in the University Museum was 

 taken by Mr. H; E. Lee in Beadle County in 1913. 



In contrast with the Avocet the Woodcock is low and 



