390 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
it is a rather small species. The Straw-necked Ibis is a handsome Australian 
species, never found out of that country, though it is rather common in every 
part of that continent. Its name 
is derived from the long straw- 
colored feathers that adorn the neck. 
All the several species have their 
heads destitute of feathers, the body 
is rather plump, legs short, bills 
long and curved downward, and all 
are swift runners. Their general 
habits are very similar. 
The Cobbler’s Awl Bird, or 
Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) is 
found in several parts of the United 
States, its range extending from the 
Gulf to Labrador. The Mississippi 
Valley, however, is its favorite haunt, 
though nowhere is it a common 
bird. The body is plump and the 
size of a pigeon, the legs long, the 
plumage pied, with white preponder¬ 
ating, top of head, back of neck, and 
wing coverts black. But the one 
curious feature that distinguishes 
this bird is the long, slim bill, 
sharply pointed and curving upward, 
so that in searching for its food in 
the mud it uses the bill as a scoop, 
it nests upon the ground. 
The Curlew (.Numenius arquata ) is also an American bird, considerably 
larger than 
the avocet, 
and with a 
bill of equal 
length but 
curving down¬ 
ward. Though 
aquatic, and 
waders, I have 
f r e q u ently 
found them 
in Nebraska 
a considerable 
distance from 
water. Their 
flight is 
straight, and curlew. 
while on the 
wing they utter a noise that may be imitated by a boy whistling one long, easy note. 
