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AVOSETS. 



FOLLOWING Himantopus may stand the Avosets, 

 Recurmrostra, Linnaeus, a limited series of birds of 

 grallatorial form and habits, but having the pal- 

 mated feet of a natatorial or aquatic species. 



RECURVIROSTRA, Linnaeus. Generic characters. 

 Bill gradually bending upwards, long, slen- 

 der, subulate, depressed for the whole length, 

 becoming thin and weak, almost flexible to- 

 wards the tip ; nostrils basal, long, linear, 

 semi-lateral ; legs long and slender, great part 

 of the tibias naked ; toes in front united by a 

 membrane occupying two-thirds of their length, 

 hind toe minute, articulated on the the tarsus ; 

 wings long, somewhat pointed. 



Type, jR. avosetta, Americana. Europe, Asia, 

 Africa, America. 



Note Plumage, in colours departing from the 

 Scolopacidce, no seasonal change, breed inland, 

 partially gregarious in winter, do not naturally 

 swim. 



