The Black-necked Stilt 



Taken in Merced County 



an insect from the sur- 

 face of the water. The 

 foot is withdrawn back- 

 ward, with a deftness 

 which scarcely disturbs 

 the water's face, and 

 does not at all roil the 

 oozy bottom. The Stilt 

 will wade about belly- 

 deep, if need be, and 

 stoop to secure dainties 

 off the bottom at that. 

 It is quite at home, also, 

 on dry land, and will 

 snap with unfailing dex- 

 terity at the insects 

 which rise bewildered 

 from the ground. 



Stilts are a com- 

 monplace of migrations 

 in California, arriving 

 from the south about 

 the middle of April. 

 They visit all the way- 

 side ponds and plashes 

 left by the rainy season, 

 or created by the over- 

 flow of irrigation. They 

 are usually silent and 

 not too wary at this 

 season, and their frank 

 enjoyment of our way- 

 side fare is one of the 

 gladsome sights of the season. Once, on the beach near Gaviota, I 

 saw a company of Stilts breasting the ocean waves; but it must have 

 been a rare experience for them, as it was a rare sight for us. They are 

 poor swimmers, and their frail pipe-stems were hardly made to withstand 

 the suck of the "hurryback." 



It is to the breeding home, therefore, that we must go to see the 

 Black-necked Stilt at its best. Los Bafios will be the first place thought 

 of, although the Stilt is much better distributed throughout the State 

 than the Avocet, and clings to many haunts which its larger fellow has 



1208 



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Photo by the Author 



BLACK-NECKED STILT APPROACHING NEST 



