44 



in t|e #mt|oloi!g of Wito. 



No. 14.— GRALLATORES (Waders). 



f£ might be supposed at first sight, that in a county so 

 deficient in large sheets of water as ours confessedly is, the 

 fourth great Order of birds coraprising the Waders, would be but 

 scantily represented. When, however, it is considered that a large 

 proportion of this numerous class is apt at certain periods of the 

 year, not only to retire inland, but to frequent large open plains, 

 however distant from lakes and rivers ; as well as secluded valleys, 

 watered by diminutive streams : it is evident that our wide- 

 spreading downs, and the rich valleys which intersect and border 

 them, ofier attractions sufficiently tempting to many of this Order : 

 and the consequence is, that the list of Wiltshire Waders is by no 

 means a scanty or a meagre one. 



This class of birds may be said to occupy a middle space between 

 the Ground birds last described which are truly terrestrial; and the 

 next Order which contains the Swimmers or true Water-fowl. The 

 Waders known in the British isles are comprized within six families, 

 the Plovers, the Cranes, the Herons, the Snipes, the Rails, and 

 the little family of Lobe-footed birds : and in this list we shall 

 again remark the gradual advancement towards the true water- 

 birds : those which stand at the head of the list being in many 

 respects nearly related to the Game-birds which they succeed, 

 while those at the farther end approach both in conformation and 

 in habits very closely to the great Order of Swimmers which 

 follows them. The general name assigned to them of " Grallatores," 

 signifies " walkers on stilts," and describes at once the characteristic 

 for which they are conspicuous ; the great length of leg which 

 enables them to wade in the shallows and marshes, whether on 

 the sea-coast or on the banks of fresh-water lakes and rivers. 



