Lie 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. 144,—Curlew. 
2 Gartn =< 
Ma eee =; 
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 
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