310 Synopsis of the Birds 



Female much smaller, but similar in color to the male. 

 Young differing greatly bom the adult until the third year. 

 Moult annually. 



Dull, stupid, fearless, easily approached and shot. Fre- 

 quent inundated plates, the shores of lakes and rivers Feed 

 on small fishes, reptiles, mollusca, and insects: when satia- 

 ted, retire to the highest trees, where they stand erect, resting 

 their heavy bill on the breast. Monogamous : build on high 

 trees ; lay two or three eggs : female only incubating, but 

 is fed by the male, and both feed their young, which leave 

 the nest only when able to flutter. Walk slowly, often sinking 

 deeply in the mud, while watching for their prey. Flight 

 heavy, but high and protracted. 



Intermediate between the two families Limicolse and Hero- 

 dii, but much more closely related to the latter : connecting 

 them admirably. 



48. TANTALUS. 



Tantalus, L. Gm. Lath. 111. Cuv. Vieill. Temm. 



Numenius, Briss. 



Bill stout, as wide as the face at base, compressed, atten- 

 uated, curved only towards the point ; upper mandible not 

 furrowed, trigonal at base, then cylindrical, notched ; edges 

 approaching each other so closely as to form a narrow chan- 

 nel ; lower mandible not channelled : nostrils basal, approxi- 

 mated, longitudinal, elliptic, open, pervious : tongue very 

 short, deep in the throat. Head naked, verrucose, cheeks 

 with scattered feathers. Tarsus twice as long as the middle 

 toe : nails short, somewhat flattened, rather obtuse. First 

 and second primaries subequal and longest. 



Composed of but four species, one in each division of the 

 globe except Europe. 



238. Tantalus loculator, L. White, face and head bluish: 

 quills and tail glossy black. 



