592 



India it is found, Dr. Jerdon writes (B. of India, ii. p. 705) in the cold weather frequenting the 

 edges of tanks and rivers, and occasionally inundated paddy-fields, and feeding on various small 

 mollusks, worms, and insects. It is found in Ceylon, where Mr. Holdsworth says that it is not 

 uncommon at Aripo during the rains ; and Lieutenant W. Vincent Legge states (Ibis, 1875, 

 p. 403) that it is " common all the year round at the leways both east and west of Hambantotta." 

 Mr. Swinhoe did not observe it in China ; but it was once seen at Pekin by Pere David. 



Southward it appears to have straggled as far as the island of Luzon ; for Dr. von Martens 

 identifies (J. f. O. 1866, p. 28) a specimen from there as belonging to the present species. 



In general habits the Stilt reminds one much of some of the long-legged Sandpipers ; and, 

 like those, it picks its steps as it walks daintily about in the damp localities it frequents. It 

 walks erect, its neck either drawn in somewhat in the shape of the letter S, or else with it 

 slightly bent and held forward, on the look-out for small insects on which it feeds. I have 

 often watched it wading in the shallow parts of the marshes, where it appears generally to affect 

 the open parts free from grass and cover of any sort. On the whole it is not a shy bird, at least 

 where it is not molested ; but where it has been fired at it is careful not to allow any intruder to 

 approach within range ; and as it is almost always met with in very open places, it is then by no 

 means easy to stalk it. On the wing it is not difficult to recognize, especially as its long legs are 

 stretched out behind, making it appear as if it had a long red tail. Its long neck is only partially 

 extended ; and in its general mode of flight it is not unlike the Avocet. 



Its call-note resembles not a little that of the Spotted Redshank (Totanus fuscus); and 

 Naumann says that only a very practised ear can detect the difference. It consists of a clear, 

 loud, flute-like whistle, but is not very often uttered ; for, as a rule, it is rather a silent bird than 

 otherwise. 



It feeds on various kinds of aquatic insects and larvas, and is said to catch gnats with great 

 adroitness. It obtains its food always in the vicinity of water, and especially in muddy places. 

 So far as I know, it does not appear to catch small fish ; but it is very possible that it may, to some 

 extent, feed on these also. Colonel Irby, who met with the present species numerously in Spain, 

 says (Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 164) that "they frequent open, shallow pools and lakes, and are very 

 seldom seen where there is grass or rushes. They are generally very tame and confiding, while 

 their conspicuous black and white plumage and noisy habits render them certain to attract atten- 

 tion, either as they fly with their long pink legs stretched out, Heron-like, behind them, or as 

 they wade about, usually up to their knees, in the shallow water, where they seek their food in 

 the shape of aquatic insects, gnats, and flies." The Stilt breeds usually early in May in the south 

 of Europe, and deposits four eggs in a nest composed of a few grass-bents collected together on 

 the mud bordering the lakes or ponds ; and usually the birds collect in larger or smaller colonies 

 for the purpose of nidification. The eggs are rich, warm stone-buff, some darker, others lighter 

 in shade of colour, and are spotted and blotched with black or blackish brown, the markings 

 being, as a rule, larger and more numerous at the larger end. Specimens in my collection vary 

 in size from If § by l^y to lf§ by l^j inch. 



Mr. Salvin, who found it breeding in Eastern Algeria, gives (Ibis, 1859, p. 361) the following 

 particulars respecting its habits, viz. : — This species is " abundant at Zana, a few pairs occurring 

 at Djendeli and Guerah el Tharf. Over the whole of the lower end of the marsh of Zana and 



