814 
BIRD-LIFE. 
has a black beak and rose-red legs; is a foot long, and 
measures somewhat over two feet across the wings;—are 
matters of minor importance. The real wonder about it 
is the stilt-like dimensions of its legs. 
The home of the Stilt is the south of Europe and 
Northern Africa. It is common in Lower Egypt, and is 
found in flocks near small ponds, about the ’long-shore 
lakes; also in companies in the swamps and lakes of the 
interior. In the Delta it is met with in every village 
where there is a buffalo-bath: in such localities as the 
last it is very tame and confiding, allowing the observer 
to approach within ten or fifteen paces; indeed, it is not 
very shy along the shores of the sea-lakes, if it has not 
been subject to much molestation. On the Blue Nile it 
is just the contrary; there it seems to have acquired an 
intense fear of man, and will not permit anyone to 
approach within from four to six gunshot’s length. It 
is a very ’cute, shy bird, much the same indeed as its 
other relatives, especially the Greenshank,—the shyest of 
them all. 
The movements and gait of the Stilt are somewhat 
slower and quieter than those of the Totanince , though in 
no way clumsy. It walks with measured steps, yet lightly 
and gracefully. It is seldom or never seen disporting 
itself on dry land, but is generally observed standing in 
the water, the latter often reaching up as high as its 
body. This bird does not feed under water on the 
bottom, like the Avocet, but gathers its sustenance from 
the surface and on soft mud-banks, &c. When wounded, 
or otherwise having been driven into deep water, it is 
capable of swimming easily, rapidly, and with activity, 
for long distances. When flying it is easily distinguish¬ 
able, at any distance, from the Sandpipers or any of the 
