470 



GRALLATORES. 



SUB-FAMILY Y. 

 ScoLOPACiNvE. The Hnvpes proinr. 



Ctkn. Chakac — Bill long, straight, rather slender, compressed on the sides, 

 and rather depressed and turned down near the tip, whieh is obtuse and bent 

 over that of the lower mandible ; the nostrils placed in a narrow longitudinal 

 groove, with the opening linear and covered by a membrane ; the wings 

 moderate and pointed ; the tail short and rounded ; the tarsi more or less 

 long, and covered in front with narrow transverse scales ; the toes long, 

 rather slender, with the hind toe short, elevated, and reaching to the 

 ground. 



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Fig. 186.- the toMuox snipe. 



( Sculopax iiaUinago. ) 



These birds frequent swampy woods, marshes, 

 morasses, and the borders of rivers. Their usual 

 time for seeking their food is early in the morning 

 and during the twilight of the evening. They sub- 

 sist principally upon insects and worms ; for these 



