90 



225. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin. [566.] Avocet. 



During migration the Avocet occurs throughout the Mississippi Val- 

 ley. East of the Mississippi it breeds from Illinois northward, and in 

 the West even as far south as Mason, Tex., where Mr. Henry found it 

 to be a rare summer resident. Dr. Merrill states that a few pairs remain 

 to breed along the Lower Rio Grande. It winters along the Gulf coast 

 and southward. In migration in 1884 it was seen at Emporia, Kans., 

 May 11, and at Alda, Kebr., May 2. In the fall of 1884 the first Avocet 

 appeared at Emporia, Kans., August 25. 



In 1885 no notes were received on its spring migration. In the fall 

 it reached San Angelo, Tex., September 4. In this locality it is a com- 

 mon fall migrant. 



226. Himantosus mexicanus (Mull.). [567.] Blach-7ieclced Stilt 



A common resident along the coast of Texas ; in summer distributed 

 locally and rarely over the better watered portions of the Mississippi dis- 

 trict. Has been taken in Texas, Illinois, and Minnesota, and was re- 

 corded from Kansas by Col. N. S. Goss, on the authority of W. H. Gib- 

 son, who saw three in June, 1881, near the Arkansas river, at Lakin, 

 Kans. 



228. Philohela minor (GmeL). [525.] Woodcock. 



Breeds principally from the middle districts northward, but a few re- 

 main in summer throughout the Southern States ; rare in Manitoba. 

 It winters wherever it can find unfrozen ground suitable for its wants; 

 hence it islimited principally to the Gulf States during the cold weather, 

 but a few usually spend the winter at Corinth, Miss., and in southern 

 Illinois. Both stations in southern Louisiana report that the number 

 present in winter depends on the weather to the northward. If the 

 winter is severe, they arrive in great numbers, but in mild winters are 

 scarce. In the winter of 1883-'84 they were abundant. By the middle 

 of February almost all had left the State. In the West the Wood- 

 cock winters in Kansas, Indian Territory, and occasionally in western 

 Texas. It was reported from San Angelo, Tex., that a few are some 

 times seen there in winter. In the spring of 1884 it reached Chicago 

 March 22, and Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, April 25. 



In the fall of 1884, about September 15, 1 Hushed a Woodcock near a 

 small spring in the central portion of Kansas City, Mo. At Mount 

 Carmel, Mo., the last was seen October 23. 



In the spring of 1885 it was first seen at Shawneetown, 111., March 4 ; 

 Fernwood, 111., April 1 ; Lanesboro, Minn., April 21 ; and Oak Point, 

 Manitoba, May 13. At Shawneetown, 111., numbers were found in a 

 low, flat bottom along the Ohio river July 25, and a few were seen after- 

 wards. In the fall of 1885 the last were seen at Fernwood, 111., October 

 10, and at Shawneetown November 14. 



230. G-allinago delicata (Ord). [526 a .] Wilson' 's Snipe. 



Breeds chiefly from the Northern States northward ; an abundant 

 migrant in the Mississippi Valley ; winter range extending to South 



