31 



BLACK-NECKED STILT. 



-fHlMANTOPUS NIGRICOLLIS, Vieill. 

 PLATE CCCLIV.— Adult Male. 



A few individuals of this singular species occasionally pass the winter in 

 the lower parts of Louisiana, especially in the section called Oppellousas. I 

 have also found it at the same period in the Floridas, but the greater number 

 follow the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and proceed beyond our southern 

 limits. In April 1837, I observed their first appearance at Galveston Bay 

 in Texas, where many remained until our departure. They were in small 

 flocks, seldom composed of more than seven or eight individuals, which 

 almost immediately separated into parties of two or three, and commenced 

 their search for food. They kept about the small shallow brackish ponds on 

 the islands of the bay, and now and then were observed following the sinu- 

 osities of bayous in company with other birds. They were much more shy 

 than they are while breeding, and it was with some difficulty that we pro- 

 cured specimens. When one was killed, the rest would fly to a considerable 

 distance, sometimes from one island to another, in a rapid manner, with 

 regular beats of the wings, their necks and legs extended. On such occa- 

 sions they uttered a whistling cry, different from the cleek, cleek, cleek, 

 which they emit when they have nests or young. 



All the writers who have described the habits of this bird, allege that it 

 walks with a "staggering gait;" but this is by no means the case, for they 

 appeared to us to walk as firmly as other long-legged birds, such as 

 Herons, Curlews, and the American Avoset; and I had many opportunities 

 of observing them, as had my friend Edward Harris, my son, and all the 

 members of our party. 



Toward the end of April, flocks of this bird reach the Middle Districts, 

 by following the coast, for they are very rarely met with at any great dis- 

 tance from the sea-shore. They generally betake themselves to extensive 

 marshes abounding in muddy inlets and small ponds, in the vicinity of which 

 they usually place their nests. About the middle of May, parties of from 

 ten to twenty collect, and are seen wading sometimes up to their breast, in 

 search of food, which is extremely abundant in such places. They are now 

 paired, and select suitable spots for their nests, which are generally not far 

 distant from each other, and near the margins of the ponds, or on small 



