378 ZOOLOGY. 



Order VII. Grall^, or Waders. 



With this order we enter upon the birds which habitually reside in the 

 neighborhood of water, and are usually denominated water birds, in contra- 

 distinction to those which live habitually on the dry land. 



This rather extensive order is composed of birds recognised immediately 

 by their long legs and long necks, and by their constantly being observed 

 in search of fishes and other aquatic animals, which they mostly pursue by 

 wading into shallow waters. A few species, however, content themselves 

 w itii such animals as are to be found on the shores or on dry land. 



The herons, storks, snipes, woodcocks, curlews, and other birds of such 

 appearance and habits, belong here. 



Fam. 1. Charadriad^e. Comprises all the plovers, turnstones, oyster- 

 catchers, &c. They are generally small and timid birds, living on the 

 banks of inland streams, in the neighborhood of ponds or lakes, or the 

 shores of the ocean. 



Sub-fa7?i. 1. CEdicnemincE, or Runners. Bill rather Ion«;, somewhat 

 curved to the tip ; wings long, pointed ; tarsi long ; toes three only, directed 

 forwards, and rather small ; tail short. Size rather small ; color plain. 



A small group of birds, which reside in the warmer regions of both conti- 

 nents. One species, the thick-leg (CEdicnemus crepitans), visits the south of 

 Europe, frequenting open fields, and feeding in the evening or at night, 

 ^t is said to remain s(juatted behind a stone, or any other object admitting 

 of concealment, during the day. Other birds of this sub-family are found in 

 the plains and deserts of Africa and Asia, such as the Cursorius senegalensis, 

 and others. 



Sub-fam. 2. Glareolince, or Pratincoles. Bill short, broad at base, com- 

 pressed ; wings very long ; tarsi and feet moderate ; tail short. Size small. 



About seven species of very peculiar birds compose this sub-family. 

 They inhabit the temperate and warmer parts of the Old World, subsisting 

 on flies and other insects, which they take on the wing, like swallows, and 

 on the ground. The European pratincole, Glareola torquata {pi. 95, fig. 5), 

 is the only well described species. 



Sub-fam. 3. CharadriancB, or Plovers. Bill long, slender, depressed ; 

 wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, frequently broad ; tarsi long, slender ; 

 feet rather small. Size various, generally small. 



Rather an extensive assemblage of about one hundred species of birds, 

 embracing all the lapwings and plovers which inhabit the whole surface of 

 the globe. The European lapwing, Vanellus cristatus {pi. 93, fig. 2), is 

 spread over the entire continent, and is remarkable for its graceful form 

 and rapid flight, which is at times performed with numerous singular evolu- 

 tions in the air, and accompanied by a series of oft-repeated notes. The 

 golden plover of the United States (Charadius pluvialis) belongs here, as does 

 also the kill-deer plover (C. vociferus), Wilson's plover (C wilsonius), and 

 some others. The plover of Europe, C. auratus {pi. 93, fig. 1), is a common 

 and handsome species. 

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