CHARADRJJDJ-:. 



427 



SUB-FAMILY I. 



CEdicnemin.e. 



The Thick-knees. 



Gen. Chaeac. — Bill as long as, or longer than, the head, with the culmen 

 slightly depressed at the 1)ase and swollen at the tip, and the gonys more or 

 less angulated; the tarsi lengthened, with three rather short toes in front. 



--^-^i^^ 



Fig. 170. — the thick-knee. 

 (CEclicnemus crepitans.) 



The Tliick-knees are migratory birds, inliabitiiig 

 all parts of the world except North America, seeking 

 the more temperate regions to rear their young, and 

 the warmer latitudes to pass the winter. Their 

 periodical flights are performed in flocks during the 

 night with great swiftness. These birds are gene- 

 rally found in uncultivated open moorlands. Their 



* oiciix), oideo, to sivell ; Kvr]jxr}, kneme, tlie leg ; Having swollen 

 legs. 



