18 BfRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Order LIMICOL-ffi.— The Shore-Birds. 



Characters. Prsecocial wading birds, usually of small size ; distinguished from the Hero- 

 diones by prtecocial habits and many striking differences of structure, and from the Paludi- 

 col(B (Cranes and Rails) by their lengthened, usually pointed, -wings and small or rudimentary 

 hind toe, the latter member being sometimes wanting. 



The Limicolse constitute the large assemblage of small waders 

 known to sportsmen as "shore-birds", and include the different 

 groups distinguished (or, rather, confused) in popular nomen- 

 clature by the terms snipe, plover, curlew, etc. 



The clear definition of the several families composing the order 



is a matter of some difficulty, the variations of structure within 



each family being very great. The following, however, may answer 



for the separation of those occurring in North America. 

 * 



A. Bill much longer than tarsus, excessively compressed, deepest through the middle 

 portion. 



Haematopodidae. No hind toe; a well- developed web between outer and middle toes 

 at the base ; front of tarsus covered with hexagonal scales. Size very large. 



B. Bill about equal to or shorter than the tarsus, moderately compressed, deepest 

 through the base, 



Aphrizidae. A well-developed hind toe, with claw; no trace of web between outer 

 and middle toes; front of tarsus covered by a row of transverse scutella>. Size 

 . small. 



C. Bill variable, but never longer than the tarsus ; more or less depressed in the middle 

 portion, the terminal portion of the culmen being more or less arched; never ex- 

 panded laterally to the end. Hind toe usually absent. 



Charadriidae. Size large to very small. Bill slender or small, straight, always shorter 

 than "the tarsus. 



D. Characters much the same as given for section "C," but toes, including the hallux, 

 exceedingly lengthened, the claws also very much lengthened; scutellationof legs 

 much as in the Rallidce. 



Jacanidae. Size medium or rather small. Claws very long and compressed, nearly 

 straight, that of the hallux equal to or longer than its digit, linear, and slightly 

 recurved. Bend of the wing (head of metarcapus) armed with a sharp conical 

 horny spur. 

 E. Bill exceedingly variable,— short or long, straight, slightly recurved or decidedly de- 

 curved, but more or less expanded laterally at the end, which is more or less sensitive. 

 Hind toe usually present, rarely absent. 



Scolopacidae. Tarsus rounded in front, where clothed with a single row of transverse 

 scutellae. 



