178 



NATUEAL HISTOET. 



are characterized hy 

 theii- curved beaks. 

 Birds of this genus 

 of the Snipe family 

 are found in the 

 northern parts of 

 Loth continents. 

 The largest of the 

 American Curlews, 

 appropriately called 

 the Sickle-Wll,is over 

 two feet in length, 

 and has a hill from 

 seven to nine inches 

 long. 



289. In the Ato- 

 cet, Fig. 145, the bin 

 turns upward in its curve. This bird gathers its food by 

 scooping it up fi-om the mud. In searching for it, it 



Fig. 144 Curlew. 



Fig. 145. — Avocet. 



moves its bill from one side to the other like the motions 

 of a mower, and leaves its traces in the mud. The Amer- 

 ican Avooet,Wilson says, is called by the inhabitants of 

 Cape May, the Lawyer, from its flippant clamor. It is 



