KECURVIROSTRID.E — THE STILTS — HIMANTOPUS. 
347 
not common, it is a regular visitant, and is possibly a resident. According to Leo- 
taud, it is found in Trinidad, and, although not common, is supposed to be resident 
in that island. Mr. C. W. Wyatt (“Ibis,” 1871) mentions finding it wading in the 
shallows of a lagoon near Cienaga, in Colombia, S. A. 
A single example of the Stilt is recorded by Major Wedderburn as having been 
shot in Bermuda, June 3, 1853. Dr. Berlandier (MSS.) cites this species as inhabit- 
ing marshy places on the littoral plains of the Gulf of Mexico, in Texas, Tamaulipas, 
the vicinity of Tampico, and on the shores of Lake Tamaqua and Tuxpan, in the 
State of Vera Cruz. It is there known by the trivial name of Tildillo. 
Dr. Cooper noticed a migrating flock at Fort Mojave, on the 1st of May, 1861 ; and 
on the 12th of May, 1863, obtained the first one seen at Santa Barbara. Hence he 
infers that it always arrives from the south about that time. It is rare on the Pacific 
coast, but migrates through the interior, and seems to prefer the fresh-water streams 
and marshes, feeding along their shores. Specimens have been procured near the 
Rocky Mountains ; but it is everywhere rare in California. 
According to Giraud, this species is found on Long Island, but is not common ; 
and it is this bird, and not the Avocet, which is the “ Lawyer ” of hunters. On the 
sea-coast of Hew Jersey, where it arrives from the south in the latter part of April, 
it is more common. Birds of this species associate in small parties, and resort to the 
shallow ponds on the meadows in the vicinity of the sea-coast, where they wade in 
pursuit of aquatic insects and minute shellfish. Occasionally a few stragglers may 
be seen loitering about the pools on the southern shore of Long Island ; but these are 
usually solitary individuals, and such are said to be infrequent. This bird is very 
rarely exposed for sale in Hew York markets, and is not known to breed on Long 
Island. 
In Utah, both this species and the Avocet are known as the “White Snipe.” Mr. 
Allen found both species in September, in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, and 
quite abundant, both species being characteristic of that region, where both are 
summer residents, and breed on the shores and islands of the lake in great 
abundance. 
Mr. Ridgway met with this bird in the spring and summer months near the alka- 
line lakes and ponds of the Great Basin, inhabiting the same localities with the 
Avocet, and being its almost constant companion. In the southeastern portion of 
Oregon Captain Bendire found it associated with the Avocet, and frequenting the 
same localities, but not so common. It also breeds in that region. 
Mr. Moore writes that he has seen but two pairs of this species, on Sarasota Bay, 
in Florida, during a residence of two summers, or from February to November in two 
consecutive years. The first pair seen was June 19, 1870, and the second April 6, 
1872 ; the latter in a pond two miles from the Bay in company with Totcmus 
flavipes. 
On the coast of Guatemala, as observed by Mr. Salvin, the Stilts were wading 
about near the shore, pecking at the surface of the water ; they were in great num- 
bers, but all in small flocks. Mr. E. Newton, who observed it in a lagoon on the 
south side of the Island of St. Croix, also mentions its occurring in small flocks of 
three or four. These were wading mid-leg deep in its shallow water, and were 
quite regardless of the approach of the boat, but walked slowly about, sometimes 
picking up insects from the surface of the water, at others dipping their bills into 
it and, then stopping, with their heads on one side, as if listening, or looking intently 
into the water. Leotaud speaks of them as usually occurring in pairs in Trinidad, on 
the borders of partially dried pools. Perched upon their long legs, they move with 
