XLV 



OTHER VARIETIES OF SHORE BIRDS 



THERE are twelve species of avocets and stilts 

 throughout the world. But two are found in 

 North America — the black-necked stilt and the Ameri- 

 can avocet. 



Avocets and stilts are easily distinguished by their 

 great size, long legs, and bills which curve slightly up- 

 ward, and which suggested the technical name {Recur- 

 virostrd). The legs of the stilt are a rosy lake, or flesh 

 color. The legs of the avocet are pale blue. 



AMERICAN AVOCET 



The avocets are fairly abundant in the West, but are 

 rare birds in the Eastern States. They are occasion- 

 ally found in the markets with other game from the 

 Mississippi valley. I have observed them on the 

 plains when shooting sharp-tailed grouse. On one 

 occasion before daybreak I drove out from Fort Tot- 

 ten, N. D., to a small lake which was much frequented 

 by geese, brant, and many varieties of ducks. The 

 plain was some feet higher than the water and bluffed 

 down to a muddy beach. When the first light of day 

 was showing in the east I had taken my position just 

 above the muddy flat, and the gabbling and quacking 

 below promised an excellent shot ; but, before it was 

 light enough to shoot, all of the geese and ducks flew 



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