ORDER GRALLiE. 393 



(on account of theirVeakness). It is the name of 

 this bird in Pliny. 



Long-legged Avoset. Wilson. Him. Nigricollis. 

 Vieill. Wils. Am. vii. ,pl. Iv. f. 1., and VieiU. Gal. 

 pi. 229. 



Neck white, above; scapulars and wings, black. 

 North and South America. 



Vieillot has also indicated, as South American 

 species, H. Leucurus^ H. Mexicanus, and H. 

 Melanurus. 



We must place here 



The Avosets. Recurvirostra, L. 



Although their feet, palmated almost to the end of 

 the toes, might almost cause them to be considered 

 as swimming birds. Their elevated tarsi ; legs half 

 naked; long, slender, pointed, smooth, and elastic 

 bill ; and the mode of life which results from this con- 

 formation, tend equally to approximate them to the 

 snipes. What, however, characterises and distin- 

 guishes them from all other birds is the strong curve 

 of their bill towards the top. Theu' legs are much 

 reticulated, and their thumb too short to touch the 

 ground. 



Black-necked Avoset. Recurvirostra Avocetta, 

 L. Enl. 353. 



of Europe, is white, with the cap and three wing-bands, 

 black, and leaden-coloured feet. It is a handsome 

 bird, slenderly shaped, and frequents the sea-shore 



