132 
with the Long-billed Curlew, the Marbled Godwit, and the Willet. Their 
nests are being trampled by cattle, seeking the moisture of the shrinking 
pools, their habitat being broken up into wheat fields, and the lakes and 
pools that are essential to their existence are being drained or are drying 
up. These are unavoidable circumstances and we would not prevent 
them altogether, even if we could, for they are but the necessary con- 
comitants of the making of productive acres. However, even under the 
fullest development of the country there will still remain waste land to 
harbour a certain number of these attractive Waders, but when they have 
also to contend with even a small amount of unnecessary disturbance or 
thoughtless poaching the result is easily foreseen. Today, it is only in the 
lonelier localities that Avocets remain in appreciable numbers and these 
places are becoming progressively fewer and more restricted. Under the 
Migratory Birds Convention Act, a constant close season has been declared 
on these and similar birds, but unless its terms are fully supported in spirit as 
well as letter and by public conscience as well as law enforcement, the 
prairies will soon lose some of their brightest and most interesting features. 
There is one particular circumstance in the Avocet’s favour. By 
nature and preference it inhabits those alkaline areas that are of least 
agricultural value. That this is but a partial and not complete protection 
is shown by its appreciable but steady decline in numbers throughout the 
last decade. England regrets the loss of her Avocets; it is to be hoped 
that Canada will profit by her experience. 
FAMILY — SCOLOPACIDAE. SNIPE-LIKE BIRDS. TIP-UPS, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 
General Description. Small to medium Shore Birds, the Curlew being the largest 
species. Feet never entirely webbed nor toes furnished with web-flaps or web-margins. 
Some species have small webs between the base of the toes, giving rise to the term “eemi- 
palmated” or half-webbed. All but one species, the Sanderling ; page 141, have four toes. 
The bills are long, slender, and tapering; usually straight (Figures 159-170); but some 
down-curved (Figures 174-176); occasionally, as in the God wits, very slightly upcurved; 
rather flexible and usually slightly enlarged and sensitive at the tip. 
Distinctions. Shore Birds, usually recognized by the above popular names. Bill does 
not taper to fine, sharp point, like that of the Phalaropes and Avocets (Figures 154, 155, 
and 157), and without the pronounced enlarged horny tip of the Plover (Figures 178-180), 
is soft and rather flexible throughout its length (Figure 159 is typical), in contrast with 
the horny bills of the Turnstones and Oyster-catchers (Figures 182-184). 
Nesting. All except one species, the Solitary Sandpiper, page 145, nest on the ground, 
in slight hollows lined sparsely with waste vegetable matter. 
Distribution. The greater number nest in the far north, though a few species south, 
even into the United States. They migrate down our coasts or through the interior accord- 
ing to species and distribution. Some of them have most interesting migration routes. 
Among these birds are the Woodcock and Snipe of the wet woods and 
marshes; the Tip-ups, Teeters, and Sandpipers seen along the shores and 
streams; and the Curlew of the uplands. These species formed the great 
bulk of the wonderful flocks of Shore Birds that once thronged our shores. 
Breeding mostly far beyond the confines of cultivation the occupation of 
their nesting grounds by settlers has had only the slightest influence upon 
their numbers. The great reduction must be blamed upon indiscriminate 
shooting. As they fly in dense flocks they offer an easy target and eighty 
or more have been known to fall at one discharge of the gun, so that there is 
little wonder that they are now comparatively scarce. It is a source of 
pleasure to know that the western sportsmen are not responsible for the 
decrease in numbers. A few of the larger forms such as the Curlew and 
