18 SCOLOPACIP.E. 



in the twenty-second number of the " Zoologist," (p. 719,) 

 which says, " The Avocet is not uncommon. Formerly they 

 bred in Romney Marsh in great numbers, but are now less 

 frequently met with. Mr. Plomley has four in his collection, 

 and could have procured many more. A nest of young ones 

 was found in 1842, and last summer Mr. Plomley killed two 

 young birds on the wing. 1 ' 



The migration of the Avocet is performed during the night, 

 and chiefly along the sea-coast, which in a great measure ac- 

 counts for our rarely seeing one of them inland ; and, more- 

 over, the propensity of this bird to prefer at all times salt- 

 water is sufficiently conclusive. The soil preferred is black 

 soft mud, and in particular such as has been left exposed 

 during low -water. On sandy, rocky, or shingly shores it is 

 never seen. It is also particularly fond of salt marshes, 

 which are in a humid but not a perfectly wet state, and to 

 which it can resort during high-water ; and where such are 

 wanting, the bird seeks for pools and creeks that the tide fills 

 partially, where it can remain until the low tide has left 

 the feeding-ground bare again. About the middle of the day 

 the Avocet roosts, standing on one leg, and resting its head 

 on its back and its beak on the upper part of the breast. Its 

 feeding time is regulated by the tides, and its movements or 

 migration occur chiefly during the night. 



The general appearance of the Avocet is very ornamental 

 to the locality it frequents, owing to the pure white and deep 

 black of its feathering. Its walk is easy and graceful : it is 

 also able to run very fast, which it does invariably close to 

 the water's edge when pursued, standing every now and then 

 still, raising its head sharply and lowering it again, and at last, 

 if the pursuit is kept up, it flies up high in the air and leaves 

 the neighbourhood. Swimming may also be ranked among 

 its capacities, during which exercise it nods with its head at 

 every stroke. 



