The American Avocet 
ing organs. As a result of this condition, which affects perhaps two-thirds 
of the entire number of females, the males, if they would breed at all, must 
accept at least one rival, or male partner, in their family relation. 
But one who knows Phalaropine character soon suspects that this 
ovarian disease, which is forcing polygamy upon the race, is itself an 
effect rather than a cause. The cause is the excessive development of the 
sex instinct in female Phalaropes. The female of Steganopus tricolor is a 
wanton whom no reasonable indulgence will satisfy. It is a commonplace 
of the nesting swamps to see two, three, or even four females pursuing a 
single male with amorous intent. And the harassing pursuit is taken up 
all the more vehemently after the eggs have hatched, when the male has 
ceased to think of passion, and is devoted to the care of a growing family. 
It is, without doubt, this strange excess of libido which has brought the 
females of the species first to their husky perfection of size and power, and 
then, lacking outlet, has deranged the sex organs themselves. 
That this weakness is one of long-standing is further evidenced by 
the fact, based on embryological studies, that the infant females of 
S. tricolor outnumber the males, three to one. Of six infant daughters, 
that is, born in a season to Mrs. and the Messrs. Steganopus, only one will 
be sufficiently restrained to breed successfully, and she, in turn, will pro¬ 
duce annually, two decorous males (destined for the harem), one lusty 
brood-hen and five hopeless wantons. I submit that this is the most 
instructive example of avian depravity ever brought to light. 
No. 232 
American Avocet 
A. O. U. No. 225. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin. 
Description. —Adult in summer: Head and neck all around and breast light 
cinnamon-rufous (shading from pale pinkish buff to cinnamon, or from vinaceous 
buff through avellaneous to wood-brown); eye-ring white; region about base of bill 
whitish; wing-quills and coverts (except inner secondaries and tips of greater coverts) 
deep brownish black; back, inner scapulars, and inner quills, lighter brownish black; 
remaining plumage, including outer scapulars, rump, tail, etc., white (tail tinged with 
ashy). Bill long, slightly recurved toward tip, black; legs dull blue. Adidt in winter: 
Similar, but without cinnamon-rufous—white instead; tinged with pale bluish ash, 
especially on top of head and hind-neck. Immature: Like winter adult, but hind- 
neck touched with rufous; scapulars, etc., buffy-tipped, or mottled; wing-quills tipped 
with whitish. Av. of 10 Los Banos specimens: length (skins) 409.3 (16.11); wing 
231.7 (9.12); bill—chord of culmen 92.6 (3.645); tarsus 95.1 (3.74). 
Recognition Marks. —Crow size; long legs; black and white and cinnamon- 
rufous in masses; long, slightly or strongly upturned bill. 
Nesting. — Nest: A slight platform of weathered reeds or plant-stems on damp 
7/p/ 
