358 



TABLE XXV. (See p. 15.) 



ORDER 5. WADERS. TRIBE 4. TENUIROSTRES*, or 

 Slender-billed. 



BY some naturalists, the birds of this Table have been 

 classed amongst the long-billed birds (Longirostres, Cu- 

 VIER) ; but there can be no impropriety in adhering to 

 the arrangement here adopted, as their bills are, without 

 exception, more or less slender and flexible, a charac- 

 ter, indeed, more generally applicable than length, as 

 some of them are by no means long-billed. 



There are five genera : 



1. Avosets, 4. Curlews, 



2. Sandpipers, 5. Woodcocks. 



3. Phalaropes, 



Of the first of these birds, the Avosets, there is little 

 to be said, one species only being known in England, and 

 this confines itself almost entirely to the fen-countries, 

 or southern coasts. Its beak is so soft and flexible, that 

 it might be mistaken for two thin pieces of whalebone. 



.Beak of tlae Avoset. 



turned upwards considerably for about half its length. 

 It is web-footed, but, as it never swims, the use of the 

 web is supposed to be to support it, as it runs lightly 

 over morasses, or soft muddy spots. 



* As there is a division of Tenuirostral birds in the Passerine Order, 

 this trihe, to avoid confusion, is often designated as Longirostral ; most of 

 the birds composing it having long bills. We have adhered, however, to 

 Dumeril's title. 



