The American Avocet 



ing organs. As a result of this condition, which affects perhaps two-thirds 

 of the entire number of females, the males, if they would breed at all, must 

 accept at least one rival, or male partner, in their family relation. 



But one who knows Phalaropine character soon suspects that this 

 ovarian disease, which is forcing polygamy upon the race, is itself an 

 effect rather than a cause. The cause is the excessive development of the 

 sex instinct in female Phalaropes. The female of Steganopus tricolor is a 

 wanton whom no reasonable indulgence will satisfy. It is a commonplace 

 of the nesting swamps to see two, three, or even four females pursuing a 

 single male with amorous intent. And the harassing pursuit is taken up 

 all the more vehemently after the eggs have hatched, when the male has 

 ceased to think of passion, and is devoted to the care of a growing family. 

 It is, without doubt, this strange excess of libido which has brought the 

 females of the species first to their husky perfection of size and power, and 

 then, lacking outlet, has deranged the sex organs themselves. 



That this weakness is one of long-standing is further evidenced by 

 the fact, based on embryological studies, that the infant females of 

 .S. tricolor outnumber the males, three to one. Of six infant daughters, 

 that is, born in a season to Mrs. and the Messrs. Steganopus, only one will 

 be sufficiently restrained to breed successfully, and she, in turn, will pro- 

 duce annually, two decorous males (destined for the harem), one lusty 

 brood-hen and five hopeless wantons. I submit that this is the most 

 instructive example of avian depravity ever brought to light. 



No. 232 



American Avocet 



A. O. U. No. 225. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin. 



Description. — Adult in summer: Head and neck all around and breast light 

 cinnamon-rufous (shading from pale pinkish buff to cinnamon, or from vinaceous 

 buff through avellaneous to wood-brown); eye-ring white; region about base of bill 

 whitish; wing-quills and coverts (except inner secondaries and tips of greater coverts) 

 deep brownish black; back, inner scapulars, and inner quills, lighter brownish black; 

 remaining plumage, including outer scapulars, rump, tail, etc., white (tail tinged with 

 ashy). Bill long, slightly recurved toward tip, black; legs dull blue. Adult in winter: 

 Similar, but without cinnamon-rufous — white instead; tinged with pale bluish ash, 

 especially on top of head and hind-neck. Immature: Like winter adult, but hind- 

 neck touched with rufous; scapulars, etc., buffy-tipped, or mottled; wing-quills tipped 

 with whitish. Av. of 10 Los Barios specimens: length (skins) 409.3 (16. 11); wing 

 231.7 (9.12); bill — chord of culmen 92.6 (3.645); tarsus 95.1 (3.74). 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size; long legs; black and white and cinnamon- 

 rufous in masses; long, slightly or strongly upturned bill. 



Nesting. — Nest: A slight platform of weathered reeds or plant-stems on damp 



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