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MACRORHAMPHUS. LONGBEAK. 



The bird named by Gmelin Scolopax grisea and Scolopax 

 Novseboracensis, the Red-breasted Snipe and Brown Snipe 

 of English ornithologists, has been referred by many recent 

 authors to the restricted genus Scolopax, or Snipe, solely on 

 account of the bill being scrobiculated toward the end, 

 although this character is not peculiar to the Snipes, but 

 presents itself, though in a less degree, in the Sandpipers 

 and several other genera. Its feet, however, resemble those 

 of Limosa and Totanus, the toes being shorter than in the 

 Snipes, and the outer two connected at the base by a pretty 

 large membrane. Its plumage, also, differs from that of the 

 Snipes, and resembles, in colouring and in its periodical 

 changes, that of the Godwits ; while its habits are similar to 

 those of the Tringina? generally. Dr. Leach, taking these 

 differences into consideration, and viewing the bird as inter- 

 mediate between the Scolopaces and Limosa?, referred it to a 

 separate genus, which he named Macroramphus ; and which 

 may be thus characterized. 



Only one species is known. It has the body ovate and 

 compact ; the neck rather short ; the head rather small, 

 convex above, and narrowed in front. Bill very long, 

 straight, subulate, compressed for more than half its length, 

 then depressed ; both mandibles grooved to near the end, 

 where it is a little enlarged, and terminating in a narrow 

 but blunt point. Digestive organs as in the genus Tringa. 



Nostrils basal, sub-marginal, linear, pervious. Eyes of 

 moderate size ; as are the apertures of the ears. Legs of 

 moderate length, slender ; tibia bare for a third of its length ; 

 tarsus compressed, scutellate before and behind; hind toe 

 very small and slender; anterior toes of moderate length, 

 the outer two connected by a web nearly reaching to the 

 second joint of the outer, and margining both to the end. 



Plumage soft and blended, but firm. Wings long, narrow, 

 pointed ; the inner secondaries much elongated. Tail rather 

 short, nearly even. 



