The Waders are usually divided into six great families. These are classified under long Latin names descriptive of some peculiarity belonging to each, but which can be more easily remembered as: First, the Waders with united toes; second, the long-toed Waders; third, the Waders with long bills; fourth, the Waders with knife-shaped bills; fifth, the Waders with compressed bills; sixth, the short-winged Birds.
THE WADERS WITH UNITED TOES.
As the feet of these Birds are partly webbed, they seem to belong to the swimmers, but the arrangement of their toes is altogether different, and their unusually long legs would also place them in a different family. This is the smallest of the family of Waders. In fact only two varieties are usually found in it—the Avocet and the Stilt Bird.
THE AVOCET.
This Bird has a very curious bill—long, slender, flexible and curved upwards. It uses this strange instrument to rake up the sand and mud in order to catch the worms, small molluscs and Fish-spawn, which constitute its chief food. Its long legs enable it to travel in safety over swamps and lagoons; it also swims with great ease. It may often be seen looking for its food on the margins of lakes and ponds.
The Avocet stands about twenty inches in height, although its body is but little larger than a Pigeon’s. It is a pretty bird, of slender make; its plumage is black on the head and back, and white underneath. It is to be met with on both the Continents; the European species is common in Holland and on the French coast. Wild and shy in its nature, it is very difficult of approach, and is clever in avoiding snares and in escaping pursuit, either by flight or swimming. The nest of the Avocet is a very simple structure, generally made by placing a few blades of grass in a hole in the sand, where it lays two or three eggs, of which it is frequently robbed, for they are regarded as great delicacies. The flesh, however, is of little value.
THE STILT BIRDS.
The Stilt Birds obtain their name from the excessive length of their legs, which are also so slender and flexible that they can be bent considerably without breaking. Their feet are not so completely webbed as the species we have just mentioned; the two membranes which unite the toes are unequal in size. The bill is long, slender and sharp, like that of the Avocet, but straight; the wings are long and pointed; the tail small. They are about the size of the Avocet, and sometimes attain the height of twenty-six inches. They possess considerable powers of flight, but walk with difficulty; on the other hand, they are much at home on mud or in marshes and swamps, in which they bore with their long beaks for insects, larvae, and small molluscs, dainties to which they are very partial.
They are dull, shy birds, leading a solitary life, except at nesting time. At that period they assemble in great numbers, build their nests in the marshes, on little hillocks, close to one another, grass being the principal material employed. They lay four greenish colored eggs, with ash colored spots. The male bird watches while the females are sitting; and, at the slightest alarm, he raises a cry which startles the flock. The whole colony may then be seen on the wing, waiting for the danger to pass before settling down.
Stilt Birds are uncommon in Western Europe; they are principally to be met with in the Russian and Hungarian marshes. During the summer they occasionally visit the shores of the Mediterranean, but they are seldom seen on those of the Atlantic.