The American Avocet 



Because of this prominence, the birds are very sensitive to espionage while 

 they are on their nests, and will flush at a hundred or even two hundred 

 yards. An automobile, however, is less feared than a man on foot, and 

 I have found it the surest way to locate their nests in a difficult country 

 to study the landscape with 8-power glasses from the seclusion of a cov- 

 ered machine. 



These birds are not only waders, but swimmers and flyers as well, 



Taken in Washington From a photograph, Copyright 1006, by TV. L. Dawson 



THE APPEAL TO PITY 



and they show little preference among these modes of activity. If you 

 approach a wading Avocet a little too closely, he may walk off with 

 dignified carelessness; and if the retreating bottom takes him beyond his 

 depth, he is instantly at ease upon the water and swims off, duck-fashion, 

 with keel held low in front, now glancing at you over one shoulder and 

 now over the other. Or else, either from land or water, he takes quickly 

 to wing, letting the long legs first dangle and then straighten out behind 

 him as he progresses. Rising is thus a bit awkward, and in settling, also, 

 the legs must first be brought forward to engage the surface of reef or 

 pool before the wing motion ceases. In flight the motion may be either 

 fairly rapid or quite leisurely, according to whether the bird is frightened 



II96 



