ird by its up-curved bill, light
plumage, webbed feet and large size (length about 17 inches). These
waders are quite numerous in suitable localities throughout the west,
constructing their nests in the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest
is simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground. They lay three or
four eggs of a dark greenish or brownish buff color, boldly marked with
brown and black. Size 1.90 x 1.30. Data.--Rush Lake, Assiniboia. Four
eggs laid in a depression in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds
nesting in the colony.

226. BLACK-NECKED STILT. _Himantopus mexicanus_.

Range.--Like the last, this species is rarely found east of the
Mississippi, but is very abundant in the United States west of that
river.

A black and white wader, with extremely long red legs; otherwise a
gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large colonies anywhere in its
range, making its nests of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on the
ground beside of, or in the marshes. Their eggs number three or four and
are brownish or greenish buff with numerous markings of brownish black,
these markings being somewhat lengthened and mostly running lengthwise
of the shell. They nest during April in the southern parts of their
range and through May and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 x
1.25. Data.--Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four
eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest. Collector, Evan
Davis.

[Illustration 141: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 140

SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDAE

Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small
size, and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along
the coasts. They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get
usually by probing in the soft mud.

227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. _Scolopax rusticola_.

This European bird is similar to the American Woodcock, but is larger
and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our
species.

228. WOODCOCK. _Philohela minor_.

Range.--Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces, breeding
throughout its range.

This is one of the most eagerly sought game birds of the east. Their
flight is very rapid and erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar
whistling sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it requires a
skillful mar