138 WADING BIRDS, 



STILT-LEGGED SANDPIPERS. 



Subgenus. — Hemipalma, (Bonap.) 



With the bill much longer than the head, and partly arched, di- 

 lated and studded with minute tubercles at tip. Feet, the tarsus 

 very long, and the 3 anterior toes usually connected by a membrane 

 as far as the first articulation. 



Probably a genus, peculiar to America, consisting of about 3 species, 

 for the most part residing within the high boreal latitudes. In the 

 length, curvature of the bill, and peculiar markings of the plumage, 

 these birds appear to be intermediately allied to the Curlew (Nume- 

 nius) and Ruff, (Machetes) ; but their long and very naked legs, 

 and partly palmated feet are wholly distinct from either. In their 

 habits and manners they agree generally with the ordinary Sand- 

 pipers, but the tumid and sensitive extremity of the bill, as in the 

 Snipes, indicates a greater delicacy in the selection of their food, 

 which is very probably often worms and moluscous animals. 



LONG LEGGED SANDPIPER. 



(Tringa himantopus, Bonap. Synops. No. 245. et Am. Orn. iv. p. 89. 



pi. 25. fig. 3.) 



Sp. Charact. — Below whitish, banded with dusky-brown; tarsus 

 about the length of the bill ; tail somewhat doubly notched ; au- 

 riculars pale ferruginous ; rump banded with black and white ; tail 

 grey, without bands, the middle feathers longest; legs very long 

 and black, webs of the toes equal. — Winter plumage unknown. 



The discovery of this very singular bird is due to the Prince 

 of Musignano, and Mr. Cooper, who, in the month of July, 

 met with a flock of them flying, near a small fresh water 

 pond at Long Branch. The only second specimen, as yet 

 obtained, was one shot in the month of May, on the south 

 shore of Long Island, in the possession of the latter gentle- 

 man. The discovery of a bird of this kind, decidedly, as 



