RECURVIROSTRIDiE — THE AVOCETS — RECURYIROSTRA. 
343 
was sometimes seen wading breast-deep in pursuit of its food. He found a few breed- 
ing near Egg Harbor, 1ST. J., where they are known as “ Blue-stockings,” from the 
color of their legs. Their nests were built among thick tufts of grass, usually near 
a pool of shallow water. In California Dr. Cooper found the Avocet rather rare in 
the southern part. One which had been killed at San Diego late in November was 
regarded as a great curiosity. It is more common in the central region of the State 
in the winter, and is frequently brought to market. Dr. Cooper shot individuals in 
the Platte Region in August, and thinks that some breed in the northeastern corner 
of the State of California. 
In Wilson’s day this bird was called by the inhabitants of Cape May “ the Lawyer,” 
from its perpetual clamor. It was found associated with the Stilt on the salt-marshes 
of New Jersey, on the 20th of May, and was flying around the shallow pools uttering 
the sharp notes of clicJc-click-click, alighting on the marsh or in the water, fluttering 
its wings, and keeping up a continual cry. A nest was found built among the thick 
tufts of grass, at a small distance from one of the pools, and was made of small twigs 
of a seaside shrub, dry grass, and seaweed, and raised to the height of several inches. 
The eggs, which were four in number, he describes as being of a dull olive color, 
marked with large irregular blotches of black, and with others of a fainter tint. He 
adds that this species arrives at Cape May late in April, rears its young, and leaves 
for the south early in October. 
Mr. Audubon found a number of Avocets breeding near Vincennes, Indiana, in 
June, 1814. Their nests were on an island in a large shallow pond. At his approach 
the birds kept up a constant noise, remained on the wing, and at times dived through 
the air toward him. There were three nests with eggs, besides a female with her 
brood, on the island. He observed that this bird on alighting keeps its wings raised 
until it has fairly settled. If in the water, it stands a few minutes balancing its head 
and neck, and then stalks about in search of food, sometimes running for it, and occa- 
sionally swimming, or wading up to its breast, with its wings partially raised. In 
feeding these birds remain separated from each other, although occasionally meeting 
in their flights, and are silent, but apparently not on unfriendly terms with their 
fellows. In searching for their food they move their heads to and fro sideways 
while the bill is passing through the soft mud, and when the water is deep they im- 
merse the whole head and part of the neck. In pursuit of aquatic insects they seize 
their prey by thrusting the lower mandible beneath it, the other being raised above 
the surface. This bird is also expert in catching flying insects, which it pursues 
with partially expanded wings. 
On approaching one of the nests on which a female was sitting, the latter scram- 
bled off, running, tumbling, and at last rising on wing, floundering hither and thither 
over the pool, now lying on the surface as if ready to die, and now limping, as if to 
invite the intruder to pursue her. All the Avocets left their nests and flew directly 
at him, except the one with the four young birds, who betook herself to the water and 
waded off, followed by her brood. The latter swam as well as young ducklings of 
the same size. The nests were placed in the tallest grass, and were entirely com- 
posed of this material, but of another year’s growth. The inner nest was five inches 
wide and lined with fine prairie grass, about two inches in depth, over a bed about 
an inch and a half thick. The eggs in each instance were four in number. 
Audubon describes the Avocet’s flight as similar to that of the Stilt, the bird 
passing through the air as if moving to a great distance, with an easy, swift, continued 
flight, the legs and neck fully extended. When plunging toward an intruder it 
moves downward, and passes by the person with the speed of an arrow. 
