HEKODIONES Oli HEKOJSTS, ETC. 



105 



The Curlews (Fig. 230) vary from twelve to twenty- 

 four inches in length, and are at once distinguished by 



FIG. 230. 



Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris, Wilson. 



their extremely long and downward curved bill, which in 

 the species here figured (Fig. 230) sometimes attains the 



length of nine inches ! 



SUB-SECTION X. 

 THE ORDER or HERODIONES on HERONS, ETC. 



THE (rrallatores of this order have the bill, neck, and 

 legs extremely long, and the body, in most cases, much 

 compressed. The toes are four in number, and are long 

 and slender. 



The Herodiones readily perch on trees, and there they 

 build their nests. The young hatch in a feeble condition, 

 and are fed for a long time in the nest. They feed upon 

 fish, frogs, etc., which they pierce with their sharp- 

 pointed bill. 



