OF ORNITHOLOGY 105 



species "■ chanced." As we become daily more and more ac- 

 quainted with the habits of our birds, we find that very little 

 " happened " by '^ chance " ; fixed laws govern everything, we 

 might say, but lack of food. When the food gives out, the 

 bird breaks loose from all apparent rule to seek food ; when 

 this is found its regxdav habits reduce it again to rule. The 

 True Snipes and the Woodcoek have been found, after a long 

 study of their habits, to be creatures of fixed laws and habits. 

 We are finding out, slowly, that these laws apply to other spe- 

 cies as well. The more reason why the Iiabits of birds should 

 be studied more than ever before, and with an intensity of in- 

 terest that may discover to us vnore of these laws. We ven- 

 ture to predict, that each species will be found eventually to 

 possess an individuality of habit not before suspected. Thus 

 we see that each species seems adapted to its mode of life, and 

 a little study soon brings order out of confusion. Each gen- 

 era groups itself according to similarity of habit as well as to 

 similarity of structure. In the ScoLOPACiDiE is this especi- 

 ally true. It is for the young student to discover for himself 

 what these habits may be. 



Before entering upon an enumeration of the genera of the 

 ScoLUPACiD.E, it may be well to present to the student, for 

 careful study, comparison, and general reference, the tables 

 prepared by Professor Baird for this family. Though it pre- 

 sents but a partial review of the family, and was, like the pre- 

 vious ones, prepared some thirty-five years ago, its main feat- 

 ures are still sufficiently useful to serve our present ])urpose 

 in preparing for more extended tables if the student wishes. 



" Family Scolopacid^e. 

 According to Bonaparte's arrangement, the Scolopacid.e 

 are divisible into two sub-families — Scolopacin^e and 

 Tringin^ ; the former with one tribe, Scolopace^e ; the lat- 

 ter with four, Tringin.e, ToTANEiE, LiMOSiN^,. and Nu- 

 MENIN.E. The arrangement of Keyserling and Blasius and of 



