Female: White with brown back and wings.
This species is characterised by very long red legs. Its bill is nearly three inches long.
It is found in marshes and tanks.
[188]. Recurvirostra avocetta: The Avocet. (F. 1452), (J. 899), (IV.)
This elegant bird is characterised by a very long bill, which is curved upwards towards the end. It is a very easy bird to identify. Its body is about the size of that of the crow. It is a white bird with a number of black markings. The black markings are on top of the head, back of the neck, the shoulders, and the wings. The beak is black and the long legs are dark grey.
Wherever there is shallow water there may the avocet be found wading in winter, for it is only a winter visitor to India. It does not appear to be very common anywhere.
The Curlews, 189 and 190
[189]. Numenius arquata: The Curlew. (F. 1454), (J. 877), (V.)
This well-known bird is about the size of a kite, and except for the white chin and throat its colouring is rather like that of the kite. But here all resemblance to the kite ceases. The curlew is a long-shanked wading bird, with a curved bill half a foot in length, the curve in this case being downwards instead of upwards as in the avocet. It has a wild, plaintive cry.
It is a winter visitor to India.