BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE AVOSET. 



SCOOPER, CROOKED-BILL, OR YEI.PER. 



(Rccurvi rostra Avocetta, Einn. Avoccttc a 

 noire, Temm. 



THIS bird does not much exceed the Lapwing in 

 the bulk of its body; but, from the length of its 

 legs, it is much taller. 



It measures about eighteen inches in length, to 

 the end of the toes twenty-two, from tip to tip 

 thirty, and weighs from twelve to fourteen ounces. 

 The bill is black, about three inches and a half 

 long, and of a singular conformation, looking not 

 unlike flexible flat pieces of w^halebone, curved up- 

 wards to the tip: irides hazel: head round, black 

 on the upper part to below the nape of the neck: 

 above and beneath each eye, in most specimens, 



