I 
BRITISH BIRDS. . 159 
part to below the nape of the neck : above and be« 
neath each eye, in mofl: fpecimens, there are fmali 
white fpots ; but in the one from which the above 
figure was taken, a ftreak of that colour paffed over 
each eye towards the hinder part of the head. The 
thighs are naked, and, as well as the legs and feet, 
are of a fine pale blue colour. The whole plumage 
of the Avofet is white, interfered with black ; and, 
like moft of the variegated or pyebald birds, the 
patches of thefe colours are not placed exaftly the 
fame in every individual ; therefore, as the bird can- 
not be miftaken, a more minute defcription is un- 
necelfary. 
Thefe birds are common in the winter about the 
lakes, mouths of rivers, and marflies, in the fouth- 
ern parts of England ; and they alfemble in large 
flocks on the fens, in the breeding feafon. When 
the female is frightened off her neft, fhe counter- 
feits iamenefs ; and when a flock is difturbed, they 
fly, with their necks ftretched out, and their legs 
extended behind, over the head of the fpedator,' 
much in the fame way as the Peewit or Lapv/ing, 
making a Ihrill rioife, and uttering a yelping cry of 
fw/f, twit^ all the time. The places where they 
have been feeding may be traced out by the femi- 
circular marks left in the mud or faiid by their bills 
in fcooping out their food, which confifts of fpawn, 
worms, infers, &c. Latham fays, they lay two 
eggs, the fize of thofe of a pigeon, an inch and 
