of the United States. 3 1 5 



51. TRINGA. 



Tringa, Charadrius, Scolopax, L. Gm. Tringa, Chara- 

 drius, fiumenius, Lath. Tringa, Arenaria, !:riss. Actitis, 

 Calidris, 111.* Calidris, Pt/idna, Machetes, Arenaria, Cuv. 

 Tringa, Arenaria, I'ieill. Tringa, Calidris, Temm. Ranz. 



Bill moderate, slender, sub cylindrical, straight, or slight- 

 ly curved, soft and flexible its whole length, compressed at 

 base, point smooth, depressed, somewhat dilated, obtuse : 

 both mandibles furrowed eai h side their whole length; 

 lower a little shorter: nostrils in the furrows, basal, linear, 

 pervious, covered by a membrane : tongue moderate, slender, 

 subfiliform, canaliculated above, entire, acute. Feet 3 or 

 4-toed ; tarsus slender ; fore toes rather elongated, slender, 

 generally divided ; hind toe extremely short, slender, much 

 elevated, hardly touching the ground at tip, or wanting : nails 

 curved, acute. Wings moderate ; first primary longest. Tail 

 rather short, of twelve feathers. 



Female similar in color to the male, somewhat larger. 

 Young differ from the adult. Moult twice a year, changing 

 greatly the color of their plumage. Colors a mixture of 

 white and cinereous, changing in summer to rufous and 

 black. 



Live in flocks, often composed of different species, on sandy 

 beaches, muddy shores, preferring salt water. Migrate 

 according to season along shores and rivers. Feed on in- 

 sects, mollusca, and other small animals, which they seek in 

 soft ground by inserting their flexible bill. Breed socially 

 among the grass near water. 



* Illig-er, however, does not quote under his genus Actitis a single 

 typical Tringa ; he probably never examined one, as they do not posses? 

 the character he assigns to the group " pedes colligati." 



