. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. "IN DEFENSE. THE MOTHER AVOCET WILL DO HER UTMOST" I noted an entirely different method of procedure. It was on the lagoon at Sandyland, near Santa Barbara, where the shallow tide pools contained a multitude of tiny fish fry. These an Avocet endeavored to secure by a rapid sweeping motion of the bill. The bill was partly immersed with the man- dibles apart, and the swinging motion had a rapidity and regularity about it that seemed almost
. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. "IN DEFENSE. THE MOTHER AVOCET WILL DO HER UTMOST" I noted an entirely different method of procedure. It was on the lagoon at Sandyland, near Santa Barbara, where the shallow tide pools contained a multitude of tiny fish fry. These an Avocet endeavored to secure by a rapid sweeping motion of the bill. The bill was partly immersed with the man- dibles apart, and the swinging motion had a rapidity and regularity about it that seemed almost aimless; but the bird paused now and then—as often, apparently, as it felt a promising contact—and made a quick grab, with only occasional success. In advancing, at forage, the leg is withdrawn quickly along the line of the tarsus, with folded or collapsed foot, and thrust forward again in such fashion as least to disturb the ooze at the bottom. As is not, perhaps, so generally known, the Avocet is also a ready diver, or, more accurately, dabbler, since it feeds from the surface of the water with the tipping motion characteristic of some of the ducks. In this operation, the legs are not at all exposed, but only the tail and the rump, the legs being evidently required under water to maintain the vertical position. In dabbling, the birds must depend altogether upon the sensitiveness of the bill, for the water becomes too much disturbed for vision. The confidence in strangers sometimes exhibited by these birds in carrying on their diving operations is very flattering; and one only wishes that it had been uniformly deserved during the years which have so sadly reduced their numbers. Avocets are rather noisy when disturbed or threatened, but are not II98. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Dawson
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1923
