Steatue.—~-The black-necked stilt is a very common migrant and winter visitant along 
the Pacific Coast. 
A large, very slender wader, black above and white below, with very long 
rei legs. It is the only pure black and white shorebird. In flight ite 1 red 1 
and feet extend far beyond the tail. gh on, age 
JYoaice,--A loud, sharp ip, ip. ip, A very noisy bird. 
Measurements.-~ 
- Male (19) Female (15) 
Wing, 222.4 Wing, 211.8 
Tail, 72.9 Tail, 6.3 
Tarsus, 108.8 Tareus, 103.6 
Culmen, 65.3 Culmen, 63.9 
General Distribution.——Breeds locally from central Oregon, northern Utah, southern 
Nebraska, the coast of Louisiana, central Florida, and the Bahama Islands south to 
Lower California, México, Central and South America to Peru and northern Brasil; the 
Galapagoe Archipelago and the West Indies. Migratory in the northwestern part of its 
range. ; 
Distribution in Guatemala.--On the Pacific Coast. 
Records.--San José, March 8, 1942; Sipacate, Tahuesco, Champerico, and near Océs, 
January 31 and February 11, 1947; marshes adjacent to the Chiquimulilla Canal near 
Papaturro, January 29, 1947. P 
In literature it has been recorded from: Chiapam, San Jose (Salvin and Godman); 
Champerico and Oc6s in September and October (Griscom). 
Habits and Hunting.-—-This stilt is most often observed along the shores and flats of 
coastal lagoons and river deltas. 
Like the other shorebirds it should be fully protected by law. 
77. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin - 
Avocet 
None known. 
Status.--The avocet is a regular but apparently scarce winter visitant to the Pacific 
Coast. 
r mA very large shorebird with a long, slender, upturned bill. In winter 
plumage it ia mostly black and white; the back and winge are largely blackish, the 
head and neck pale gray above, white below; underparts white. 
Yoice.--A loud plee-eek, plee-eek. 
Measurements. 
Male (10) Female (11) 
“ “Wing, 222.4 Wing, 217.7 
Tail, 83.8 Tail, 83.1 
Tarsus, 91.3 Tarsus, 90.3 
Culmen, 89.6 Culmen, 89.8 
General, Distribution.—-Breeds from eastern Washington, southern Alberta (formerly farther 
‘north), and southern Manitoba, south to southern California, southern New Mexico, southern 
Texas, and northern Iowa (formerly farther east). Winters from Central California and 
southern Texas to. Guatemala. 
75 
