FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 235 



many have the habit of continually bobbing the head, as 

 though they were confiding some wonderful news. Nos. 19- 

 24. (5) Curlews. These might be called godwits with long, 

 slender, downwardly curved bills. ^ Their habitat is mainly 

 in the marshes, though some are found on dry plains. Xos. 

 27-29. 



Key to the Species 



* Bill very long and much decurved ; - tarsus scutellate only in front, 



reticulate behind. (P.) 



* Bill not strongly decurved; tarsus scutellate in front and behind.^ (A.) 



A. Toes only three, the hind toe wanting. ... 16. Sanderling. 



A. Toes four, the hind toe present. (B.) 



B. Eyes situated back of the middle of the head;^ bill twice as long as 

 tlie tarsus and with the upper mandible thickened at the tip ; toes 

 without distinct webbing. (0.) 

 B. Eyes not back of the middle of the head ; bill in no case twice as 

 long as the tarsus. (C.) 

 C. Front toes not webbed* (at most with one minute web). (J.) 

 C. Front toes with at least one distinct web.^ (D.) 

 D. Tail more than half as long as the wing and with the under feathers 

 at least one inch shorter than the middle ones ; wing over 6 ; bill, 



1-1 ^ 24. Bartramian Sandpiper. 



D. Tail about half as long as the wing; wing, o^-i^ ; bill, tarsus, and 

 middle toe aiul nail each about 1 long; bill narrow and somewhat de- 

 curved near tip ;" breast much spotted 26. Spotted Sandpiper. 



D. Tail less than half as long as the wing. (E.) 



E. Wing, .'')-4i long ; bill grooved at tip ^ 



14. Semipalmated Sandpiper and 15. Western Sandpiper. 



E. Wing, G^-~^ long ; bill straight and 1-1 J long, just about one fifth 



the length of the wing 23. Ruff. 



E. Bill over one fifth the length of the wing. (F.) 

 F. Bill slightly broadened near tip ; ^ bill and tarsus about equal and 



U-l| long ; wing, 5-5 J 5. Stilt Sandpiper. 



F. Bill slightly broadened near tip ; bill over 2, and tarsus under 2 long ; 



wing, 51-6 long .3. Dowitcher, 4. Long-billed Dowitcher. 



F. Bill not broadened near tip. (G.) 



G. Wing, 8^-0^; bill, 3J-5J long, and bent upward toward tip;i 



rump and upper tail coverts regularly barred with brown 



17. Marbled Godwit. 



