96 



Genus — Recurvirostra. Avocets. 



225. American Avocet. fr.— l'avocette d'amebiqtte. Recurvirostra americana. 

 L, 16-50. Large and most striking Shore Bird, with warm, vinaceous head and neck 

 blending into white underparts; and fuscous and white in sharply contrasting masses on 

 the back. 



Distinctions. Very long, slender, tapering bill with decided upward curve in its outer 

 half. This is always distinctive. 



Nesting. A slight depression in the ground near water. 



Distribution. A mid-western bird of the interior, breeding in the prairie provinces 

 and only of accidental occurrence east of Manitoba. 



This species is included only ^because of the occurrence of a few in- 

 dividual specimens east of the prairie provinces. 



FAMILY SCOLOPACIDjE. SNIPE-LIKE BIRDS. TIP-TJPS, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 



General Description. Small to medium Shore Birds, the Curlew being the largest 

 species. Feet never entirely webbed nor toes furnished with web-flaps or web-margins. 

 Some species have small webs between the base of the toes, giving rise to the term "semi- 

 palmated" or half-webbed. All but one species, the Sanderling, page 101, have four toes. 

 The bills are long, slender, and tapering; usually straight (Figures 21, 22, p. 21); but 

 sometimes down-curved; occasionally, as in the Godwits, page 102, very slightly up- 

 curved; rather flexible and usually slightly enlarged and sensitive at the tip. 



Distinctions. Obvious Shore Birds, usually recognized by the above popular names. 

 Bill does not taper to fine sharp point, like that of the previous families, and has not the 

 soft base and horny tip of the Plover, but is soft and rather flexible throughout its length in 

 contrast with the horny bills of the Turnstones and the Oyster-catchers. 



Nesting. All except one species, the Solitary Sandpiper, page 103, nest on the ground, 

 in slight hollows lined sparsely with the waste vegetable matter adjoining. 



Distribution. Greater number nest in the far north, though a few species are found 

 south of the United States border. They migrate down our coasts or through the interior 

 according to species and distribution. Some of them have most interesting migration 

 routes. 



Among these birds are the Woodcock and Snipes of the wet woods and 

 marshes; the Tip-ups, Teeters, and Sandpipers we see along the shores and 

 streams, and the Curlews of the uplands. These species formed the great 

 bulk of the wonderful flocks of Shore Birds that once thronged our shores. 

 Breeding mostly far beyond the confines of cultivation the occupation of 

 their nesting grounds by settlers has had only the slightest influence upon 

 their numbers. The great reduction must be blamed upon indiscriminate 

 shooting. As they fly in dense flocks they offer an easy target and eighty 

 or more have been known to fall at one discharge of the gun, so that there 

 is little wonder that they are now comparatively scarce. 



Economic Status. Either perfectly harmless or actively useful accord- 

 ing to habitat. 



Genus — Philohela. Woodcock. 



228. American Woodcock, fe. — la becasse d'ameeiqtje. la becassine. Philo- 

 hela minor. L, 11. Plate VII B. 



Distinctions. Long bill (Figure 21, p. 21) and eyes situated high in the head, dead- 

 leaf colours of underparts, and rich browns of back are distinctive. 



Field Marks. The birds' habitat, combined with long bill, size, and coloration in 

 rich brown and dead-leaf tints render it easily recognizable in life. 



Nesting. On the ground amidst last year's dead leaves, with which its plumage 

 harmonizes so well. 



Distribution. Regularly in southern Ontario in the lower Great Lakes region, though 

 occasional individuals straggle over a much wider range. 



