CXLIV. 

 RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA. (linn.) 



AVOCET. 



The Avocet used to breed in some of the marshy districts 

 of Norfolk, Lincohishire, and Kent : and, I believe, a nest 

 and eggs may yet occasionally be found in some of the least 

 frequented parts of Norfolk. It is, however, too singular and 

 remarkable a bird to remain much longer unmolested in any 

 part of this country ; and will soon be upon the list of those 

 birds wliich were once, but are now no longer, indigenous 

 with us. 



The eggs of the Avocet are said to be two, rarely three, 

 in number, and are deposited in a slight depression of the 

 surface, either upon the bare ground, or on a small quantity 

 of dry grass. All the specimens which I have seen, bear 

 considerable resemblance to that of the plate ; with the ex- 

 ception of some, said to be those of the Avocet, in the col- 

 lections of Mr. Allis and Mr. Baines, of York, the ground 

 colour of which is nearly white, marked with small spots of 

 deep brown and neutral tint. 



