RECURVIROSTRID^E — THE AVOCETS — RECURVIROSTRA. 343 



was sometimes seen wilding breast-deep in pursuit of its food. He found a few breed- 

 ing near Egg Harbor, N. J., where they are known as " Blue-stockings," from the 

 color of their legs. Their nests were built among thick tufts of grass, usually near 

 a pool of shallow water. In California Dr. Cooper found the Avoeet ratlier rare in 

 the southern part. One which had been killed at San Diego late in November was 

 regarded as a great curiosity. It is more common in the central region of the State 

 in the winter, and is frequently brought to market. Dr. Cooper shot individuals in 

 the Platte Region in August, and thinks tliat some breed in the northeastern corner 

 of the State of California. 



In Wilson's day this bird was called by the inhabitants of Cape Jfay '• the Lawyer," 

 from its perpetual clamor. It was found associated with the Stilt on the salt-marshes 

 of New Jersey, on the 20th of May, and was flying around the shallow pools uttering 

 the sharp notes of dick-cliek-cUvk, alighting on the marsh or in the water, fluttering 

 its wings, and keeping up a continual cry. A nest was found built among the thick 

 tufts of grass, at ;i snuxU distance from one of the pools, and was made of small twigs 

 of a seaside shrub, dry grass, and seaweed, and raised to the height of several inches. 

 The eggs, which were four in number, he describes as being of a dull olive color, 

 marked with large irregular blotches of black, and with others of a fainter tint. He 

 adds that this species arrives at Cape May late in Ajjril. i-ears its young, and leaves 

 for the south early in October. 



Mr. Audubon found a number of Avocets breeding near Vincenues, Indiana, in 

 June, 1814. Their nests were on an island in a large shallow pond. At his approach 

 the birds kept up a constant noise, remained on the wing, and at times dived through 

 the air toward him. There were three nests with eggs, besides a female with her 

 brood, on the island. He observed that this bird on alighting keeps its wings raised 

 until it has fairly settled. If in the water, it stands a few minutes balancing its head 

 and neck, and then stalks about in search of food, sometimes running for it, and occa- 

 sionally swimming, or wading up to its breast, with its wings partially raised. In 

 feeding these birds remain separated from each other, although occasionally meeting 

 in their flights, and are silent, but apparently not on unfriendly terms with their 

 fellows. In searching for their food they move their heads to and fro sideways 

 while the bill is passing through the soft mud, and when the water is deep they im- 

 merse the whole head and part of the neck. In pursuit of aquatic insects they seize 

 their prey by thrusting the lower mandible beneath it, the other being raised above 

 the surface. This bird is also expert in catching flying insects, which it pursues 

 with partially expandetl wings. 



On approaching one of the nests on which a female was sitting, the latter scram- 

 bled off, running, tumbling, and at last rising on wing, floundering hither and thither 

 over the pool, now lying on the surface as if ready to die, and now limping, as if to 

 invite the intruder to pursue her. All the Avocets left their nests and flew directly 

 at him, except the one with the four 3'oung birds, who betook herself to the water and 

 waded ott', followed by her brood. The latter swam as well as young ducklings of 

 the same size. The nests were placed in the tallest grass, and were entirely com- 

 posed of this material, but of another year's gro^vth. The inner nest was five inches 

 wide and lined with fine prairie grass, about two inches in depth, over a bed about 

 an inch and a half thick. The eggs in each instance were four in number. 



Audubon describes the Avocet's flight as similar to that of the Stilt, the bird 

 passing through the air as if moving to a great distance, with an easj^, swift, continued 

 flight, the legs and neck fidly extended. When plunging toward an intruder it 

 moves downward, and passes by the person with the speed of an arrow. 



