Volume 34, Plate XVIII / Ornithology (Birds)

Black-Winged Stilt

Himantopus melanopterus

An occasional visitant since Sibbald’s time, appearing at rare intervals in the three kingdoms either singly or in small flocks, the Black-winged Stilt has very long legs and was once seen snapping at insects in the air over a shallow pool. An African specimen measures fourteen inches to the tail, with plumage pure white except the rich glossy-black green-reflecting wings and the dark brown centre of the back, the legs pink to vermilion-red.