254 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Pamily TRINGID2E. 



Tlie members of this family are very numerous, and com- 

 prise many distinct forms or genera. 



These strand and shore birds are very generally distri- 

 buted over the face of the globe, there being few countries in 

 which they are not found. In Australia there are species 

 some of which closely resemble others inhabiting Europe. 



Genus LIMNOCINCLUS, Gould. 



The two species of this genus range over many degrees of 

 latitude, the Linmocinclus pectoralis of America being one of 

 them, the following species the other. They, or at least the 

 Australian bird, inhabit marshy districts and the borders of 

 rivers ; and run about among the grass and herbage much 

 after the manner of the true Snipes. Of their nidification 

 little or nothing has yet been recorded, and I would especially 

 direct the attention of Australian ornithologists to this point 

 so far as it regards the bird inhabiting their country. 



Sp. 522. LIMNOCINCLUS ACUMINATUS. 



Marsh Tringa. 



Totanus acuminatus, Horsf. Lin. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 192. 

 Tringa australis, Jard. and Selb. IlL Orn., vol. ii. pi. 91. 

 Schoeniclus australis, G. R. Gray, List of Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., 

 part iii. p. 105. 



Schoeniclus australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. vi. pi. 30. 



This pretty species of Sandpiper is distributed over all parts 

 of Australia, including Tasmania. The sandy beaches of the 

 sea-coast and the banks of the rivers in the interior of the 

 country are equally visited by it ; and in all such situations it 

 is to be seen either in pairs or in small parties of from si^ to 

 fifteen in number. It is very fearless, and will allow of the 



