BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES 61 



Geographical Distribution : Western United States in general from lati- 

 tude 30° to the Canadian border ; south in winter to Guatemala and 

 "West Indies. 



Breeding Range : The plains of the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colo- 

 rado, Utah, and interior of California. 



Breeding Season: June to July 15. 



.Nest : Of grass stems matted together ; placed in tall grass near water. 



Eggs: 2 or 3; light olive, spotted with brown. Size 1.90 X 1.35. 



The American Avocet is a conspicuous bird under any 

 circumstances, for its long, curved-up bill, intensely black 

 and white plumage, and long blue legs are sure to attract 

 attention. In some localities its blue legs have given 

 it the nickname of " blue-stocking." In writing of these 

 birds, Mr. Frank Chapman says : " They frequent shores 

 and shallow pools, and in searching for shells, crusta- 

 ceans, etc., their peculiar recurved bill is used hi a most 

 interesting manner. Dropping it beneath the surface 

 of the water until its convexity touches the bottom, they 

 move rapidly forward, and with every step swing their 

 bill from side to side as a mower does his scythe. In 

 this way they secure food which the muddy water would 

 prevent them from seeing." 



They may occasionally be found swimming in small 

 companies, but never in exposed or very open water, and 

 usually as near shore as possible. The nest is made in 

 a wet meadow, and is not unlike that of a king rail, ex- 

 cept for size. The young, like the young rails, are taken 

 to the edge of a meadow, and, until they are two or 

 three days old, do not go into the water. They pick 

 up bugs for themselves from the damp ground and 

 run to cover at the call of the mother, after the manner 

 of killdeer. Their note is seldom heard until nightfall 



