KECUBViROSTKiDa:. BIRDS. ScoLOPAcma;. 
clxxxv 
Jersey sands. The note is a quick, loud and shrill 
whistling, as 'Wheep! wTieep ! wheo! and Peep! 
peep! repeated on the wing as well as while at rest. 
Tlie name Haeniatopus indicates its bloody-looking 
feet, which are quite red ; but the name only holds 
good for one species, while others have pink or light- 
colored feet. 
BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER {H. afer).— Audubon 
gives this species a habitation in the United States, 
but authors do not recognize it as yet. It was de- 
scribed by the former as H. townsendi. It is found 
in South America, and if in North America at all, 
on the western coast. 
BACHMAN’S OYSTER-CATCHER (H. niger).—'\!\\\s 
is a little smaller than the first-named species. It is 
known on the western coast, and, according to Pallas, 
is found in North-eastern Asia. 
Family— REOUEVIROS'l’RID^. 
'I ’he Avocets. 
AVOCET {Eecurviroatra americana ) — Plate 27, 
fig. 102. — 'I’he Stilt-bird, so called from its enor- 
mously elongated legs, is found in all parts of tem- 
perate North America, though more common in 
certain portions. In New England it is not a famil- 
iar bird. It is most abundant in the Mississippi 
Valley, and northward to the Rocky Mountains. 
Wilson says: “From its perpetual clamor and flip- 
pancy of tongue, it is called in New Jersey the 
Lawyer!’ He found it here associated with the 
Black-necked Stilt, on the salt marshes, where it was 
breeding, on the 20th of May. It flew around the 
pools exactly like the Long-legs, uttering a click! 
click! click ! — a sharp note — alighting on the marsh 
or in the water indiscriminately, fluttering its loose 
wings and shaking its half-bent legs, as if it was 
ready to tumble over, keeping up a continual yelping- 
note. 
BLACK-NECKED STILT [Himantopus nigricollis). 
— 'I’liis bird is found in nearly all parts of the United 
States, and as far south as Brazil. 'I'he habits are 
well described by Dr. Cones, who observed the spe- 
cies in great numbers in New Mexico. In the shal- 
low lagunas, where they evidently breed, were flocks 
of twenty or thirty, very closely associated. 'I'he 
wings are very long and pointed, as well as ample in 
width ; its flight, in consequence, is firm, vigorous 
and swift. When folded they reach beyond the tip 
of the tail, and as the under coverts reach to the end, 
the bird tapers off behind to a fine point. On the 
ground, whether walking or wading, the bird moves 
gracefully, with measured steps. 'I’he long legs are 
much bent at each step — (only at the joint, however !) 
— and planted firmly, perfectly straight. Except 
under certain circumstances, as those Wilson relates, 
there is nothing vacillating, feeble or unsteady either 
in the attitudes or movements of the bird. 
Family— PHALAROPODIDJ3. 
'I'he Phalaropes. 
'I'he Phalaropes are Sandpiper-like birds, with 
lobed feet, the toes being provided with expansions 
on each side that render them useful in swimming. 
VOL. I.— a* 
In shape and effect they are little oars. 'I’he under 
plumage is thick and duck-like, fitted to shed the 
water. 'I'hey are all elegant in form and graceful in 
movement. 'I’he family is small, not more than three 
species in number, and those are all found in this 
country. Wilson’s Phalarope appears to be the only 
one exclusively American ; the other two belong to 
both continents. 
WILSON’S PHALAROPE [Steganopus wilsoni).— 
'I’his species inhabits this continent generally ; rarely 
in the Eastern States ; common in the Mississippi 
Valley and westward. It breeds in the Western 
United States and in the interior of the fur coun- 
tries in the lower latitudes. In winter it reaches 
South America. Wilson’s Phalarope is considered 
the handsomest of the wading birds. It is largest of 
the group. 'I’he Phalarope is fond of the interior 
rather than the ocean border, frequenting the fresh- 
water ponds and streams. 
NORTHERN PHALAROPE {Lohipes hyperhoreus). 
— 'I’his is a more maritime species than the latter, 
inhabiting the whole continent, and breeding far 
north ; spending the winter in the tropics. On the 
New England Coast it is more abundant, and of reg- 
ular appearance during the migrations, some breeding 
probably in the Bay of Fundy. 
RED PHALAROPE [Phalaropus fulcarius). — 'I’his 
species inhabits the same localities as the preceding. 
'I’he eggs are so nearly like the others they cannot 
be distinguished. 
Family— SOOLOPACID^. 
'I’he Snipe. 
'I’his family, members of which are called as be- 
longing to the “ Long-billed fraternity,” includes 
numerous species. They are distinguished from the 
Plovers by the slenderness of the bill and by its 
great length. 
AMERICAN WOODCOCK {Philohela minor).— 'W q 
habitat of this bird is the Eastern United States 
and the Provinces north to Nova Scotia, west to 
Kansas and Nebraska. 'I'he European Woodcock 
(Scolopax) is said to occasionally straggle into the 
limits of our country. 'The larger specimens, which 
are sometimes exhibited by sportsmen, are probably 
of this species, as undoubted examples are extant. 
Audubon gives the following interesting account of 
the habits of the American Woodcock: “In the 
breeding season its curious spiral gyrations, while as- 
cending or descending along a space of fifty or more 
yards of height, when it utters a note somewhat re- 
sembling the word kwank, are performed every even- 
ing and morning for nearly a fortnight. When on 
the groiind, at this season, as well as in autumn, the 
male not unfrequently repeats this sound, as if he 
were calling to others in his neighborhood ; and, on 
hearing it answered, he immediately flies to meet the 
other bird, which in the same manner advances to 
meet him.” Most of these birds migrate, leaving 
for the South in October, and returning to us in 
March. It begins to lay in April. 'The nest is 
placed on the ground, generally in a retired spot. 
