BIRDS — LIMICOLAE. 689 



A. Nostrils reaching usually to the end of basal third or half of the commissure ; oval, short. 

 Bill contracted about the nostrils, where the culmen is more or less indented. Nasal groove 

 closed obtusely and abruptly, or shallowing out broadly to the end. Hind toe generally wanting ; 

 neck short and thick. 



Charadhidae. — Bill rather cylindrical, as long as the head, or shorter ; the culmen 

 much indented opjjosite the nostrils, the vaulted apex more or less swollen and rising, 

 quite distinct from the membranous portion. Legs elevated ; hind toe rarely present, 

 and then rudimentary ; the outer and middle toes more or less united by membrane. 



Haematopodidae. — Bill as long as the head, or twice as long, compressed ; culmen but 

 little indented, and the bill not vaulted beyond the nostrils, which are quite basal. 



B. Nostrils narrow and fissured, not reaching beyond the basal fourth of the commissure. 

 The bill attenuated and linear beyond the nostrils, not compressed nor indented around them. 

 The nasal groove running out into a narrow, acute channel to or beyond the middle of the 

 jaw, just above the edge of the bill ; the forehead narrowed and depressed to the bill. 



■ Eecurvirostridae. — Legs covered with hexagonal plates, becoming smaller behind. 

 Anterior toes all connected more or less by membrane. Bill much lengthened and 

 attenuated ; the groove along the side of the upper mandible not extending beyond 

 the middle. Gums denticulated only at the base. 

 Phalaropodidae. — Feathers of breast compact, duck-like. Legs with transverse scutellae 

 before and behind. Toes to the tips with a lateral margin, more or less indented at the 

 joints, the hinder with a feeble lobe. Bill equal to or longer than the head, the lateral 

 groove extending nearly to the tip. 

 ScoLOPACiDAE. — Legs with transverse scutellae before and behind, as in the last family, 

 (except in Numenieae.) Toes not margined broadly to the tips, with or without basal 

 membrane ; hind toe generally present. Bill generally longer than the head, the 

 groove extending beyond the middle. 

 The determinations and descriptions of the species of Grallae in the following pages, with 

 their synonymy, have been prepared by Mr. John Cassin. 



August 2, 1858. 



87 b 



