their breeding-places is almost deafening, consisting of a 

 continued series of shrill yelps, from which the Avocet 

 derived some of its most common English designations, 

 such as " Yelper" and " Clinker." Although the Avocet 

 is, on the whole, a wary bird, I have frequently 

 approached to within a very few yards of small parties 

 feeding on the muds, by sailing or drifting down upon 

 them in a boat ; their method of feeding is by sidelong 

 scoops in the soft mud, which they sift with a sort of 

 nibbling action between their mandibles ; they are very 

 active on foot, and excellent swimmers, continually 

 shifting from place to place and uttering a pleasant clear 

 whistle very different from their discordant cries when 

 alarmed. 



I could never succeed in keeping Avocets alive in 

 captivity for more than a few weeks, but I know that 

 they have been so kept for a considerable time^ and if I 

 could obtain young birds I should have little doubt of 

 success. 



The flight of the Avocet is very strong and well 

 sustained ; as may well be imagined, a flock of these 

 birds on wing has a most remarkable appearance, and 

 they form one of the most striking of the many ornithic 

 ornaments of the otherwise dreary wastes of the Anda- 

 lucian marisma. The flesh of the Avocet is tolerable 

 " faute de mieux." 



