252 



CHABADB1IDJ3 



AYOCET. Recurvirostra avocetta (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, ' Birds of Great Britain/ vol. iv, pi. 

 53; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vii, pi. 534; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. v, pi. 19. 



At the present time the Avocet can be regarded but as 

 a scarce and rather uncertain summer-visitor to our Isles, 

 though formerly it bred annually in many parts of England. 

 Small numbers still visit the flat shores of Kent and Sussex, 

 extending along the east coast as far as the mouth of the 

 Humber. On the opposite coast as well as in Wales, Scot- 

 land, and Ireland, it is rare. Mr. Ussher mentions thirteen 

 instances of its occurrence in Ireland, the following counties 

 having been visited: Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, 

 Galway, and Mayo (' Birds of Ireland '). 



FIG. 37. AVOCET. 



This is a handsome and remarkable-looking bird, of 

 slender build and very graceful bearing, which with its pied 

 plumage render it an easily identified species on the sea- 

 shore. 



Its "beak is unmistakable ; it is of considerable length, 

 tapers to a sharp point, and is recurved or bent upwards 



