Order IX. SHORE BIRDS. 



LIMICOL^B. 



Family 1. PHALAROPES. Phalaropodid.k. 3 species. 



Family 2. AVOCETS AND STILTS. Recur virostrid^:. 2 

 species. 



Family 3. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Scolopacid.e. 33 

 species, 2 subspecies. 



Family 4. PLOVERS. Charadriid.k. 9 species, 2 subspecies. 



Family 5. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. Aphrizid^e. 4 

 species. 



Family 6. OYSTER-CATCHERS. ELematopodid.e. 3 species. 



Family 7. JACANAS. Jacanid.e. 1 species. 



The Phalaropes are swimming Snipes. The Northern and Red 

 Phalaropes, both of which have well-developed lobes or scalloped webs 

 on their toes, except when nesting, live at sea a hundred miles or more 

 off shore, where they find an abundance of food in small forms of ma- 

 rine life. The Wilson Phalarope is a bird of the interior and conse- 

 quently, is far less aquatic than the remaining species of the family; 

 nevertheless it readily takes to water, swimming buoyantly and grace- 

 fully. 



Contrary to the general rule, the female Phalarope is larger and 

 more brightly colored than the male and this difference in size and 

 plumage is accompanied by similarly unusual habits; the female tak- 

 ing the place of the male in the Phalarope household. The female of 

 necessity lays the eggs, but they are hatched by the male alone, who it 

 is said, cares for the young, also without the assistance of his mate. 



The Avocets and Stilts are wading Snipes- The Stilts secure their 

 food by quick thrusts of the bill, but the Avocets use their singular, up- 

 turned member in a more interesting manner. When in water two or 

 three inches deep, the bill is dropped below the surface, until the 

 curved lower mandible evidently touches the bottom; then walking 

 rapidly, or even running, the bill is swung from side to side and the 

 bird thus explores the mud in its search for food, which, when it is felt, 

 is picked up in the usual way. 



Many of the members of the family Scolopacidae are probing Snipe. 

 The Woodcock, Wilson Snipe, and Dowitcher are good examples. 



100 



