Toward the end of April, flocks of this bird reach the Middle Districts, by following the coast, for they are very rarely met with at any great distance from the sea shore. They generally betake themselves to extensive marshes abounding in muddy inlets and small ponds, in the vicinity of which they usually place their nests. About the middle of May, parties of from ten to twenty collect, and are seen wading sometimes up to their breast, in search of food, which is extremely abundant in such places. They are now paired, and select suitable spots for their nests, which are generally not far distant from each other, and near the margins of the ponds, or on small islets. The nest is very similar to that of the Willet, or Semi-palmated Snipe, _Totanus semipalmatus_, 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 ALEXANDER WILSON, 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, pyriform, almost 2 inches long, with the smaller end rounded, 1-3/8 in their greatest breadth; of a pale yellowish-clay colour, and plentifully marked with large irregular blotches and lines of brownish-black. While the females are sitting, the males pay them much attention, acting in this respect like those of the American Avoset, watching the approach of intruders, giving chase to the Red-winged Starlings, as well as to the Fishing and American Crows, and assailing the truant young gunner or egger. When there is no appearance of annoyance, they sometimes roam as far as the sea-beach. When the young are hatched, they leave the nest, and follow their parents through the grass, but on the appearance of danger squat and remain motionless. About the beginning of September, young and old commence their journey southward. This species is rather scarce along the shores of the Carolinas; nor is it abundant in any part of the United States, and is seldom seen to the eastward beyond Long Island. Its food consists of insects, small crustacea, worms, and young fry of fishes. I have frequently observed them running after flies, and attempting to seize the smaller Libellulæ. When wounded so as to fall on the water, they are unable to dive, but on reaching the shore they run nimbly off and hide themselves. 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. LONG-LEGGED AVOSET, RECURVIROSTRA HIMANTOPUS, _Wils._ Amer. Ornith. vol. vii. p. 48, pl. 55, fig. 1. HIMANTOPUS NIGRICOLLIS, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 322. BLACK-NECKED STILT, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 8.