TOWNSEND AND WETMORE: THE BIRDS. 181 



validity of all of the differences outlined by Mr. Mathews, which 

 apparently are based only on Limosa liinosa and L. lapponica. His 

 alleged differences will be taken up and considered in turn as he has 

 given them. The bill in the species limosa is longer than in haemastica 

 and lapponica, but shorter than in fedoa. In limosa the bill is more 

 slender and less robust than it is in fedoa, while it is nearly straight 

 in limosa, slightly upturned at the tip in lapponica, haemastica, and 

 fedoa. The groove on the upper mandible varies slightly in length 

 in all four species, but shows no specific differences in its development. 

 With regard to the legs limosa has the lower extremities relatively 

 slightly longer and somewhat more slender than in the other three 

 species under discussion. The tarsus in fedoa is as long as it is in 

 limosa, but the leg in the former is heavier and more bulky, and when 

 compared with the wing is relatively slightly shorter than it is in 

 limosa. The length of the crus when compared with the middle toe 

 without the claw may be more or less as it varies individually. The 

 measurement of the tarsus compared with that of the middle toe is 

 also a variable factor, and may be more or less than twice the middle 

 toe without the claw, depending upon the condition of the individual 

 specimen. The length of the tarsus varies also when compared with 

 the length of the wing according to the specimen in hand, and may 

 equal more or less than one third of the wing, irrespective of species. 



The scutellation of the front of the tarsus shows no constant differ- 

 ence in the four species under consideration. In general the scutes 

 are transverse on the lower tarsus, and divided or broken toward the 

 tibia. 



The distance that the broken scutes extend down the front of the 

 tarsus varies individually in all the species, and in addition there is a 

 tendency for single scutes on the front of the tarsus below the area to 

 become broken or divided. The development of the claw of the 

 middle toe is also a variable character in spite of what has been said 

 to the contrary. It is usually more slender in limosa than in the others, 

 and seems always to be slightly more elongate in that species; but 

 may be produced also and even pectinated in haemastica and fedoa, 

 while the outer margin is often thin and distinctly crenulated in lap- 

 ponica, with pectinate divisions indicated in some specimens. 



To sum up the discussion as given above the valid differences 

 between these proposed genera are apparently as follows: — 

 a. Legs relatively slightly longer, more slender; toes relatively 

 slightly more slender; bill nearly straight, not distinctly up- 

 turned at distal end, somewhat flattened near tip Limosa. 



