TATLERS AND ALLIED SPECIES. .301 



edges of both mandibles thick and grooved. Nostrils basal, 

 linear. Legs very long, slender; tibia bare for half its 

 length ; tarsus reticulated ; hind toe extremely small and 

 elevated ; anterior toes rather short, and connected by very 

 deeply emarginate webs. Wings long, rather narrow, pointed. 

 Tail short, nearly even. 



1. Recurvirostra Avocetta. Black-and-white Acoset. Bill 

 black ; feet greyish-blue ; plumage white ; upper part of 

 head, hind-neck, some of the scapulars, the smaller wing- 

 coverts, and the primary quills and coverts black. 



GENUS II. HIMANTOPUS. STILT-SHANK. 



Bill about twice the length of the head, almost straight, 

 being very slightly recurved, very slender, roundish, tapering ; 

 the edges of both mandibles sharp and infiexed. Nostrils 

 sub-basal, linear. Legs extremely long, slender ; tibia bare 

 for more than half its length ; tarsus compressed, reticulated ; 

 no hind toe ; toes of moderate length, slender ; the inner 

 connected with the middle toe by a very slight web, the 

 outer by a web extending nearly to the second joint. Wings 

 extremely long, exceeding the tail, acute ; tail short, nearly 

 even. 



1. Himantopus melanopterus. Black-winged Stilts/tank. 

 Bill black ; feet vermilion ; plumage white, the breast tinged 

 with rose-colour ; upper part of head and nape greyish - 

 black ; fore part of back, scapulars, and wings black, glossed 

 with green ; tail ash-grey. 



GENUS III. GLOTTIS. LONG-SHANK. 



Bill about half as long again as the head, beyond the 

 middle slightly inclined upwards, very slender, roundish, 

 tapering ; the edges of both mandibles infiexed. Nostrils 

 sub-basal, linear. Legs very long, slender ; tibia bare for 

 nearly half its length ; tarsus compressed, scutellate before 

 and behind ; toes four, anterior of moderate length, slightly 

 webbed at the base. Wings very long, pointed. Tail short, 

 somewhat rounded. 



