INTRODUCTION. XXXlll 



as the primaries. Legs o' moderate length, scutellate, rather slender, naked 

 for a short distance above the tarsal joint. Toes three only, all directed for- 

 wards,* the outer and middle toes connected at the base by a slight web; 

 claws short, curved, slender (p. 521). 



/Egialitis, F. })oie. — Bill much shorter than the head, rather slender; straight to 

 the end of the nasal furrow, which extends beyond the middle of the bill, then 

 slightly raised, but bent downwards at the tip. Nostrils small and linear. 

 Wings long, pointed, the first quill the longest ; the inner secondaries 

 attaining the tip of the third primary. Tail broad, slightly rounded. Legs 

 moderately long, slender, bare for a short distance above the tarsal joint ; 

 tarsi reticulated. Toes three only, slightly webbed at the base (p. 523). 



CilARADRlus, Liniiicus. — ^IJill shorter than the head, straight, rather slender, the 

 upper mandible straight to the end of the nasal furrow, tiien slightly raised, 

 and decurved to the pointed tip. Nostrils sub-basal and linear. Wings long 

 and pointed, the first quill the longest ; inner secondaries much shorter than 

 in Eudromias and somewhat shorter than in Aigialitis. Legs of moderate 

 length, slender, bare for a short distance above the tarsal joint ; tarsi reticu- 

 lated. Toes three only, all directed forwards, slightly webbed at the base 

 (P- 531)- 



S(jUATAROLA, Leacli. — 15111 nearly as long as the head, rather strong, u]ipcr 

 mandible straight to the end of the nasal groove which is long and wide : 

 then raised and decurved to the tip. Nostrils sub-basal, linear. Wings long, 

 pointed, the first quill the longest. Legs moderate, slender ; lower part of 

 the tibia naked, tarsi reticulated. Toes four in number ; three directed 

 forward, and slightly webbed at their base, the fourth behind, rudimental but 

 distinct and elevated (p. 535). 



Vanellus, Brisson. — Bill shorter than the head, straight, slightly compressed ; 

 the points of both mandibles horny and hard. Nasal groove wide, and 

 reaching as far as the horny tip. Nostrils basal, linear, pierced in the 

 membrane of the nasal groove. Wings large, tuberculated or spurred in 

 front of the carpal joint ; the first and second quill-feathers shorter than the 

 third and fourth, which are about equal, and the longest in the wing. Le<Ts 

 slender, with the lower part of the tibite naked ; tarsi reticulated behind, 

 scutellated in front. Feet with three anterior toes united at the base by a 

 membrane, and a short hind toe, articulated upon the tarsus (p. 539). 



Strei'SILAS. Illiger. — Bill as short as the head, strong, thick at the base, tapering 

 gradually to the point, forming an elongated cone ; upper mandible the longer, 

 rather blunt at the end. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pervious, partly 

 covered by a membrane. Wings long, pointed, the first quill-feather the 

 longest. Feet with three toes in front, united by a membrane at the 

 base and furnished with narrow rudimentary interdigital membranes ; a hind 

 toe articulated upon the tarsus and just reaching the ground (p. 541). 



ILematoi'US, Linmciis. — Bill longer than the head, straight, strong, the point 

 much compressed, forming a wedge ; culmen of the anterior part slightly 

 convex ; upper mandible with a broad lateral groove, extending one-half the 

 length of the bill ; mandibles nearly equal in size and length, with the thin 

 ends truncated. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pierced in the membrane of 



