LONGSHANKS. 365 



residence, they abound much more than in England, and are annually killed 

 in great numbers for the London market. 



Sub- Fa nily 11. 

 THE LONGSHANKS. TOTANINiE. 



General Characteristics. — Bill long, slender, compressed, and grooved on the 

 sides, with the culmen more or less straight, curved, and acute at the tip ; the nos- 

 trils linear and placed in the lateral groove, which extends to or beyond the middle 

 of the bill ; the wings long and pointed , the tail moderate, and even or rounded ; 

 the tarsi more or less long, slender, and covered in front with narrow transverse 

 scales ; the toes usually long and slender, the lateral ones unequal, and generally 

 united at the base to the middle toe, especially the outer, the hind toe long, slender, 

 and hardly touching the ground. 



These migratory birds are found in both hemispheres, especially 

 in the temperate and northern regions. They are usually seen in 

 pairs, or in small flocks, on the banks of lakes and rivers, or some- 

 times on the shores of the ocean ; but at certain seasons they 

 resort to moist woods and marshes for the purpose of rearing their, 

 young. Their food is sought for on the ground, or among the 

 gravel and stones, on the margins of lakes and rivers; it consists 

 of insects, worms, small mollusks, and fishes. The nest is usually 

 formed in a tuft of grass, or in a slight depression in the earth, 

 lined with dry grass and other vegetable remains. The female 

 lays four eggs, and if disturbed while incubating them, generally 

 flies round the intruder, uttering a succession of shrill notes for 

 the purpose of engaging his attention and leading him from the 

 vicinity. 



The birds belonging to this sub-family are distinguished by 

 having the bill hard, with its tip pointed and sharp, and without 

 the particular tactile structure possessed by the snipes and wood- 

 cocks. This difference in so important an organ indicates a 

 correspondent diversity in their economy and mode of life ; con- 

 sequently, instead of seeking their food by probing in the soft 

 sand or mud, they seize it upon the surface of the earth, or search 

 for it among gravel or stones, on the shores of lakes and rivers, 

 or on those of the ocean. Some of the species live entirely in the 

 interior, and are but accidentally, if ever, found upon the sea- 

 coast, which is to others the place of habitual resort. 



