AMERICAN AVOCET
225. Recurvirostra americana. 17 in.
Bill slender and recurved; feet webbed; feathers on the underparts very
thick and duck-like, being impervious to water. In summer, the head and
neck are pale cinnamon color; young birds and winter adults have the
head and neck white, but the rest of the plumage is the same as in
summer. These interesting waders are very abundant in some localities on
the western plains. During the breeding season, if not molested, they
become very tame; at other times they are quite wary. Their food
consists of water insects and small Crustacea, which they secure in a
novel manner. Wading along in shallow water, with their head immersed,
they keep their bill moving from side to side through the soft mud.
Nest.—Of grass, on the ground; the eggs are brownish-buff spotted with
black (1.90 × 1.30); May, June.
Range.—Breeds locally from Texas and southern California northward to
Saskatchewan; rare or casual east of the Miss, and on the Atlantic
coast.
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BLACK-NECKED STILT
226. Himantopus mexicanus. 15 in.
Legs extremely long, and bright red; neck and bill moderately long and
slender. Male black and white as shown; female and young with the back
brownish. These very long-legged creatures are found in suitable places
west of the Mississippi River, and are especially abundant in southern
California. Stilts are poor swimmers, but habitually feed in
comparatively deep water, that is up to their bodies, their whole head,
neck and upper parts of the body often being submerged while thus
engaged. They are strong and swift on the wing, twisting as they fly, so
as to alternately show their black upper parts, then the white surfaces
beneath; this is a habit that is common to several varieties of shore
birds.
Nest.—On the ground as usual; eggs greenish-buff, spotted with black
(1.80 × 1.25); May, June.
Range.—Breeds in the Gulf states and southern California, north to
Dakota; winters south of U. S., except in southern California. Rare on
the Atlantic coast.
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