178 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



are characterized by 

 their curved beaks. 

 Birds of this genus 

 of the Snipe family 

 are found in the 

 northern parts of 

 both continents. 

 The largest of the 

 American Curlews, 

 appropriately called 

 the Sickle-bill,is over 

 two feet in length, 

 and has a bill from 

 seven to nine inches 

 long. 



289. In the Avo- 

 cet, Fig. 145, the bill 

 turns upward in its curve. This bird gathers its food by 

 scooping it up from the mud. In searching for it, it 



Fig. 141 Curlew. 



Fig. 145. Avocet. 



moves its bill from one side to the other like the motions 

 of a mower, and leaves its traces in the mud. The Amer- 

 ican Avocet, Wilson says, is called by the inhabitants of 

 Cape May, the Lawyer, from its flippant clamor. It is 



