56 ELEMENTS OF OENITHOLOST. 



As might be expected under such circumstances, the Birds 

 are able to swim. There are about seven species of Oyster- 

 catcher, spread over all the great divisions of the earth's surface. 

 A great contrast to these Birds is presented by the Stilt 

 (Simantopus melanopUrm), with its very slender beak and 

 exceedingly long legs. It is occasionally seen in England, but 

 there are ten other species of the genus, four of which are found 

 in the Australian region and two in America. The two 

 American species and one Australian one are very often sepa- 

 rated off and united with the graceful and singular Avocet 



Fig. 56. 



The Oyeter-catcher {Hcematopus ostralegm). 



(fig. 58) into a separate genus termed Recurvirostra. The Avocet 

 used to breed in England in Eomney Marsh and the marshes of 

 our Eastern Counties, but drainage has been fatal to it here and 

 in many other places, and it is said only to breed now, in 

 Northern Europe, in the islands off the coasts of Holland and 

 Denmark. The delicate recurved beak of the Avocet when once 

 seen can never be forgotten. 

 But a still more singular and absolutely peculiar bill 



IS 



