AVES. 381 



robust ; toes long ; size mostly rather large ; colors usually gay, sometimes 

 with metallic lustre. 



About twenty-five species of handsome birds form this sub-family, which 

 inhabit all countries, and resemble in general characters the herons and 

 storks. The North American species are the wood ibis {Tantalus locu- 

 lalor) ; the scarlet ibis (Ibis rubra), which is clothed in beautiful scarlet 

 plumage ; the white ibis (/. alba) ; and the Mexican ibis (/. falcineUus). 

 There are, however, several South American species. The crested ibis, 

 /. cristatus (pi. 95, ßg. 3), i-s an Asiatic species. 



The most distinguished species of all these birds is the Egyptian ibis 

 (/. religiosa), which was held sacred by the ancient Egyptians, and is 

 found embalmed in immense numbers. It is yet found inhabiting the 

 banks of the Nile. The large white ibis (/. alba) is another African 

 species. 



Fam. 3. ScoLOPAciD^. Embraces the snipes, godwits, avocets, sand- 

 pipers, and other birds, which frequent the shores of both salt and fresh waters. 

 They are easily recognised by their small size, long, slender bills, and long 

 legs, and are shy and harmless in their dispositions. Several species are 

 esteemed as delicate articles of food. 



Sub-fam. 1. LimosincB, or Godwits. Bill long, slender, curved ; wings 

 long and pointed ; tail short ; tarsi long, slender ; toes long. Size larger 

 than usual in this family; colors plain. 



About twenty-five species of these birds, known by the names of godwits 

 and curlews, inhabit the various countries of the world. Those resident 

 in the United States are the great marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa); ihe 

 smaller godwit (L. hudsonica) ; the long-billed curlew (Numenius longi- 

 rosl7'is) ; and the northern curlew (N. borealis). The rufous godwit, L. 

 rufa (pi. 93, fig. 9), and the curlew, N. arcuatus (pi. 94, fig. 7), are 

 European species. 



Sub-fam. 3. RecurvirostrincB, or Avocets. Bill long, slender, compressed, 

 sometimes curved upwards ; wings long, pointed ; tail short ; tarsi very 

 long. Size various, never large ; colors varied. 



The avocets and stilts, which are the birds constituting this group, are 

 distributed throughout the globe. The former have the bill curved upwards 

 very decidedly ; the latter but slightly, and are remarkable as being the 

 longest legged birds, in proportion to the size of their bodies, of any of the 

 waders ; hence they have derived their name. The European avocet, 

 Recurvirostra avocetfa (pi. 93, fig. 10) ; the American avocet (R. ameri- 

 cana) ; the European stilt, Himantopus albicollis (pi. 95, fig. 6) ; and the 

 American black necked stilt (H. nigricollis), are common species. 



Sub-fam. 3. TringincB, or Sandpipers. Bill lonsj, slender, compressed ; 

 wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, truncate ; tarsi generally long and 

 slender, sometimes rather short ; toes long. Size mostly small. 



An assemblage of about fifty little birds which inhabit the sea shores as 

 well as the borders of lakes, rivers, and small inland streams of all countries. 

 It is on the sea shore, however, that they are most abundant, and may 

 constantly be seen running into the advancing waves, or during the recess 



585 



