of the United States. 343 



tions to the coast of Mexico :* rare and accidental in the 

 United States. 



Differs more essentially from the two others, than they do 

 between themselves. 



FAMILY XXIII. HYGROBATiE. 



Palmipedes pedibv.s longioribus, Lath. Hygrobatce, 111. 

 Cultrirostres, Longirostres, Phcenicopteres, Cuv. Palmipedes, 

 Latirostres, Vieill. Igrobate, Latirostre, Ranz. Pterodac- 

 tyli, (Pinnidactyli,) Cultrirostres, Pyxidiro sires, Latr. JLr- 

 deidce, Scolopacidcc, Vigors. 



Bill longer than the head, singularly shaped : nostrils 

 basal, longitudinal, narrow. Head small; neck more or less 

 elongated, slender : body somewhat compressed. Feet long, 

 4-toed ; naked space of the tibia longer than the middle toe ; 

 tarsus much longer than the middle toe, reticulated ; fore toes 

 palmated, membrane emarginated ; hind toe free. Wings 

 moderate, tuberculated ; first or second primary longest. 

 Tail short, of twelve or sixteen feathers. 



Essentially waders. Live on the sea shore. Run rapidly 

 even in the water: swimming occasionally, but never from 

 choice, nor after food. Undertake great periodical journeys. 

 Monogamous : breed on shores or inundated places, some on 

 trees by the sea : eggs' few. Voice shrill, acute. Flesh not 

 good. 



Spread all over the world. Connects the Order Grallse 

 with that of Anseres, certainly belonging to the former. 

 Perhaps artificial : formed of three very different genera, each 

 of which may constitute a family, or be distributed among the 

 others ; the common character of the palmated feet, being 

 considered as one of analogy simply. 



* Erroneously given as African, and South American. 



