1G2 TllIXGIN.E. 



as skimming by the margin of the quiet lake, it emits its 

 shrill and reiterated cries. 



Of these birds, and many others all nearly allied, those 

 which constitute the natural family of the Tringinae agree in 

 presenting the following characters. The body is ovate, and 

 compact ; the neck long or of moderate length ; the head 

 small, compressed, rounded in front. The bill long, straight, 

 blunt-tipped, sometimes arcuate, sometimes a little curved 

 upwards. The mouth is extremely narrow ; the tongue 

 slender, trigonal, grooved above, tapering, pointed. (Eso- 

 phagus narrow, with an oblong bulbiform proventriculus : 

 stomach elliptical or roundish, with very large lateral muscles, 

 radiated tendons, and thin, dense, longitudinally rugous 

 epithelium ; intestine long, rather slender ; coeca moderate, 

 slender, cylindrical, or oblong. 



Nostrils linear, small, pervious, basal. Eyes small. 

 Aperture of ear rather large, roundish. Legs of moderate 

 length or long, slender ; tibia bare below ; tarsus slender, 

 scutellate ; toes four, the hind toe very small and elevated ; 

 or three only, of moderate length, generally more or less 

 webbed at the base ; claws small, arched, compressed, obtuse. 

 Plumage moderately full, blended, on the upper parts 

 compact. Wings very long, pointed, with the first quill 

 longest ; inner secondaries elongated, one of them nearly as 

 long when the wing is closed. Tail short, of twelve feathers. 

 The Tringinae, though nearly allied to the Phivialina?, 

 are easily distinguishable. They have the head smaller and 

 compressed ; the bill longer and more slender ; the eyes com- 

 paratively small, those of the family compared being re- 

 markably large and full. They are much more aquatic in 

 their habits, and a few of them swim habitually and with 

 ease. They are gregarious in winter, often collecting into 

 vast flocks, and searching the shores of the sea for food. 

 They run with great speed, have a rapid flight, and emit loud 

 and rather shrill cries. It is chiefly by probing the sand and 

 the mud that they obtain their food ; but they also pick up 

 objects from the surface. Their food consists of mollusca, 

 insects, Crustacea, and other animals. Most of the species 

 that continue with us in winter, retire northward in summer. 



