248 B L A C K - N E C K E D STILT.
abundant in such places. They arc now paired, and select suitable
spots tor their nests, which are generally not. far distant from each
other, and m ar the margins of the ponds, or <m small MetS. The
nest is very similar to that of the Willet, or Semi-palmated Snipe,
Totunus Mmipalmatm, being rather large, and formed of dry weeds and
•the twigs of small shrubs. I have never observed the singular manner
of augmenting and raising their tenements, described by Ai.kxasder
Wi l s o x , although, like him, I have found and examined several
in the very same districts. The eggs are always four, placed
with the smaller ends together; pyrii'orm, almost 2 inchcs.ilon.a-, with
the. smaller end rounded, ill their -gr'e.u>UiSt breadth; of a pale gj t j .
lowisli-o.lay colour, and plentifully marked with large irregular blotches
and lines of brownish-black.
WMteithpafemales are sitting, males pay them much attention,
acting in this respect like: those of the Americau. Avoscl, watching the
approach ofiintruders, giidng chase to the Red-winged Starlings, as wi-11
Sis to the Fishing and American Crows, and assailing the truant:young
gunner or egger. When there is no appearance of anuoyance,..tho:y
sometimes roam as famas theisea-beach. •• Whe n th« young are hatched,
they leave the mst , -and follow their parents through the grass, but. on
the appearance. of danger squat and .rfimaifflsi^Siojili®®!!.: About »the,
beg'mniug of-September, young and old I'.orumence.their journey southward.
T h i s species is ratlii-r gcaic® along the •shores of the Carolina*; nor
is it abundant in any part of the l.'nited States, and is seldom seen to
t h e eastward beyond Long-Island. Its food consists of insects,, small
Crustacea, worms, and young fry of fishes. Uhave frequently observed
t h em running- after flies; and attempting to seize the ipsiaUer.Libellulas.
When wounded so as-Sto fall on the water,'they are unable to dive,, but
(in reaching the shore they run nimbly off and hide themselves.. I
I feel confident that in spring the males migrate: apart from the
females, but in autumn in company with them; The. flesh of this species
is not decidedly good or bad, being of ordinary quality. The
males are larger than the females,, and individuals of both sexes vary
considerably in size,
B L A C K - N E C K E D STILT. 249
. LO^O^D I • R s O B ™ ^ , IUMAS.TOV«, » Ondth.
Hi.ack-n eck ei) Ki'ir.T, Xvttal!, Maur-al, vol. i). p. 8.
Adult-Male Plstfe^CXXVIII. '
Bill-about twice he ad, very slender, roundish, tapering,
slightly recurved. ' U p p e r mandilile with its outline very slightly
curved upwards, a t - t fbt i p decimate ; the ridge convex, the sides convex
the edges sharp and inflected,' the tip narrow and rather acute.
Nasal groove nearly l-alf the length of the bill *ft*HtrHs linear, ,tas®*,
.sub. basal, pervious. .Lower mandible with the .angle very, longnarrow,
the sides grooved as far as the angle, the edges sharp and inflected,
thei t ip narrow.. "¿i • I 1 '• '• - ' |,;1" -V " '
h. ,Head-small, ovate, rounded, above-; neck *ooy-long and slender;
l,„dy rather compact. '-ILegs ostromcly elongated an.l slendertibia
bare for more than half its length, covered anteriorly wi t h large curved
•scutella; tarsus very-long, moderately compr&ifea,1-scutellate -before,
reticulate on 1he .sides V'.tdte of-moderate length, slender; hind toe
wanting, outer a l-ittle longer than inner, and connected wi t h the Middle
. t oo by a web extending nearly to the second joint; the inner toe-,also
connected with the middle b y a very short web. Claws: small, nearly
straight, moderately compressed.- ••
Vlumago ordinary, the- feathers ovate and rounded. Wings very
long, of moderate breadth, acute, the first quill longest, the other primaries
rapidly graduated. Tail short, even, of twelve feathers.
Bill black, iris bright carmine; feet lake-coloured, claws dusky.
Sorehead, a spot: above the eye, another boly« it, fere part and sides of
t h e neck,-and all the other lower parts, pure whi te. ETpper par t of head,
hind neck, and upper parts, liluisl.-black, glossed wi t h green ; tai l white.
Length ta end of. tai l 14£ inches, to end of wings 16£, to end of
claws 211; extent jof wings 27 ; wing from flexure 9 ; tail 2 i | ; bill
along the ridge 2ft, along the edge, of lower mandible21i; bare part
t i b i a Si;; tarsus « f t . ; middleBtow-l^i ts-clawA. Weight oz.
The Female is smaller than the male but otherwise similar.
Length, to end of tail 14 inches, to end of wings 15i , to end of claws
2 0 ;.'extent of wings 26}. Weight 5 oz.