124 



here they are generally found in company with flocks of the smaller 

 species of sandpipers. 



Family RECURVIROSTRID.S!. 

 Genus Recurvirostra Linn. 



204. R. americana Gmel. AVOCET. A rare migrant. Generally 

 occurs in small parties the last of April and first of May, and during 

 September and the first of October. Frequents the borders of marshy 

 pools. 



Genus Himantopus Briss. 



205. H. nigricollis Vieill. STILT. An exceedingly rare visitant. 

 Dr. Hoy records the occurrence of a small flock near Racine, in April, 

 1847. In the collection of the Illinois Natural History Society, at 

 Normal, 111., is a fine specimen of this species, taken in McLean 

 County, 111. 



Family PHALAROPODID.SJ. 

 Genus Steganopus Vieill. 



206. S. wilsoni Sab. WILSON'S PIIALAHOPK. Very common sum- 

 mer resident in this vicinity. Found in abundance about damp prai- 

 ries and on grassy marshes. Arrives about the middle of May and 

 remains until into August. I have found its nest from the 25th of 

 May to June 25th. The young usually appear about the middle of 

 June and commence to fly the first of July. The breeding plumage 

 of the female of this species is much brighter and richer than that of 

 the male, as has been recently announced by Mr. A. L. Kumlein 

 ('Field and Forest," July, 1876). The male builds the nest and 

 attends exclusively to the duties of incubation, it alone possessing 

 the naked abdomen during the breeding season. The female always 

 remains near and shows great solicitude upon the nest being ap- 

 proached. The first plumage of the young, described by Dr. Coues 

 on page 4U7, "Birds of the North-west," is retained until they depart 

 for the south the last of July or early in August. The adults assume 

 the winter plumage during July. This plumage is much like the 

 breeding plumage of the male except that there is a hoary east over 

 the back and neck caused by grayish tips to the feathers, and the 

 female has a greater amount of dull chestnut on the sides of the ueck. 

 The following description of the breeding plumage of the male is from 

 a scries of six specimens taken in Northern Illinois the last of May 

 and first of June, 187G. Bill, legs, and feet pure black. Crown of 

 head varying from a light to a dark blackish brown. The white stripe 

 so evident on the nape of the female is entirely absent on young males 

 Of the preceding year, and but obsoletely'iudicatcd in old sped- 



