254 VERTEBRATES I BIRDS. 



six and a half inches long, and the wing three and three 

 quarters inches. 



The Genus Squatarola has a rudimentary hincl toe. 



The Black-bellied Plover, 5. helvetica, Cuv., of all North 

 America and the sea-coasts of all countries, is eleven and 

 a half inches long, and the wing seven and a half inches. 



The Genus Aphriza has the bill shorter than the head, 

 the hind toe distinct, and tail even. 



The Surf-bird, A. virgata, Gray, of the islands of the 

 Pacific, is ten inches long, and the wing seven inches. 



H^MATOPODID^E, OR TURNSTONE FAMILY. This Fam- 

 ily comprises waders which have the bill compressed. 



The Genus Hczmatopus Oyster-catchers has the bill 

 longer than the tarsus, hind toe wanting, tarsus reticu- 

 lated anteriorly, and the middle and outer toes connected 

 by a basal membrane. 



The Oyster-catcher, H. palliatus, Temm., of the Atlan- 

 tic coast, is seventeen and a half inches long, and the 

 wing ten inches ; the upper parts light ashy-brown ; un- 

 der parts and upper tail-coverts, and a wide diagonal band 

 across the wings, white. 



Backman's Oyster-catcher, H. niger, Pallas, of the west- 

 ern coast of the United States, is seventeen inches long, 

 the wing ten and a half inches ; the head and neck 

 brownish black ; all other parts of the plumage dark 

 brown ; the bill bright red, legs pale reddish. 



The Dusky Oyster-catcher, H. ater, Vieill., of Chili and 

 perhaps of the western coast of North America, is larger 

 than either of the preceding. 



The Genus Strepsilas Turnstones has the bill ta- 

 pering to rather a blunt point, the tip slightly bent up- 

 ward, and the hind toe lengthened. 



The Turnstone, 5. interpres, Illig., of North America, 

 and of nearly every country, is nine inches long, and 

 the wing six inches ; the upper parts irregularly varie- 



