316 {Synopsis of the Birds 



Spread all over the world, even some of the species. 

 Wantonly multiplied by superficial observers; most difficult 

 to distinguish correctly by brief descriptions. 



SUBGENUS I. HEMIPALAMA. 



Hemipalama Nob. ( bs. Norn. Mils. Orn. 



Feet 4 toed ; antt rior connected at base by a membrane. 



Peculiar to America. Connects admirably the two allied 

 genera Numenius and Tringa. Well marked, but perhaps 

 artificial. 



245 Tringa himantopus, Nob. Bill much longer than the 

 head, sub-arched ; tarsus longer than the bill ; rump white, 

 banded with black ; middle tail feathers longest. 



Long-leggid Sandpiper, Tringa himantopus, Nob. Am. 

 Orn. Hi. 



Inhabits the middle states in summer and autumn. 



Anomalous: closely related to Numenius, and as to natu- 

 ral affinity, still more so to Totanus ! Ought not to be 

 separated from T. suharquata, Temm. by the straight-billed 

 T. semipalmata, Wits, with which it claims no alliance, 

 except on account of its semipalmated feet. 



246. Tringa semipalmata, Wils. Bill shorter than the head, 

 straight ; feet moderate ; rump blackish ; middle tail feathers 

 longest. 



Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tringa semipalmata, Wils. vii. 

 f. 13). pi. 63. jig. 4. 



Inhabits common throughout the United States. Except 

 hy its feet, closely related to T. pusilla, minuta, he. 



SUBGENUS II. TRINGA. 



Calidris, Pelidna, Cuv. 

 Feet 4-toed ; anterior cleft to the base. 

 Spread all over the world. Connected much more with 

 the preceding by the European subgenus Machetes, Cuv. in 



