62 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vra. 



probably owing to the wind getting underneath their 

 wings, when running into the wind, they held their 

 wings stretched to their full extent straight up over 

 their backs, but half furled them again directly they 

 altered their direction. 



The Black-headed Gulls went out of the way to be 

 annoying to their neighbours, but when it came to a 

 fight they were not in it with the Avocets, which flew 

 at them and struck with either wings or feet, the 

 long bill being, perhaps, too flexible to be used as a 

 weapon of attack. 



When they were feeding in soft mud, the Avocets 

 waded quickly along, using the bill with a sweeping, 

 sideways motion, not using the point except to pick 

 up things on dry ground. 



