335 



THE BLACK-NECKED STILT. 



slender, and longer, perhaps in proportion, than in any other kno 

 bird, it consequently staggers and reels in its gait, while balancing 

 itself on its stilt-like legs. 



STILT BIRD. 

 THE BLACK-NECKED STILT. 



The Black-necked Stilt is common to many parts of South as well 

 as North America ; it is known at any rate to inhabit the coast of 

 Cayenne, Jamaica, and Mexico. In the United States, it is seldom 

 seen but as a straggler as far to the north as the latitude of 41. About 

 the 25th of April, according to Wilson, they arrive on the coast of 

 New Jersey in small flocks of twenty or thirty together. These again 

 subdivide into smaller parties, but they still remain gregarious through 

 the breeding season. Their favorite residence is in the higher and 

 more inland parts of the greater salt marshes, which are interspersed 

 and broken up with shallow pools, not usually overflowed by the tide? 

 during summer. In these places they are often seen wading up to 

 the breast in water, in quest of the larvae, spawn, flies, and insects, 

 which constitute their food. 



In the vicinity of these bare places, among thick tufts of grass 

 small associations of six or eight pair, take up their residence for the 

 breeding season. They are, however, but sparingly dispersed over 

 the marshes, selecting their favorite spots ; while in large intermediate 

 tracts, few or none are to be seen. Early in May, they begin to mak* 

 their nests, which are at first slightly formed of a mere layer of old 

 grass just sufficient to keep the eggs from the moisture of the marsh 



