124 BIRDS. 



Ashy above, variegated; rump and under parts white; 

 sides of neck with a black stripe which changes to chest- 

 nut below. Northern regions. 



FAMILY LV. SCOLOPACID^E. 



(The Snipe.) 



Bill elongated, usually longer than the head; if short 

 not plover -like, being soft -skinned throughout (hard 

 when dry); nasal grooves narrow channels ranging 

 from half to nearly the whole length of the bill; 

 sides of lower mandible usually also grooved; nostrils 

 narrow exposed slits; head feathered. Wings usually 

 thin and pointed ; tail short and soft ; tibiag rarely 

 entirely feathered. Tarsus never entirely reticulate and 

 usually scutellate in front and behind; hind toe present 

 (except in Calidris); front *oes cleft or slightly webbed; 

 size medium or small. Sexes alike or female slightly 

 larger ; seasonal changes in plumage often strongly 

 marked. Eggs usually four, placed with the small ends 

 together in a slight nest or depression in the ground; 

 notes various; mostly migratory or gregarious. Genera 

 fifteen or more, species about ninety; chiefly of northern 

 regions, but some species in most parts of the world. 



* Toes 3 CALIDRIS, 8. 



** Toes 4. 



f Tarsus scutellate in front only; bill slender, decurved, very 

 much longer than the head. . , . NUMENIUS, 15. 



ff Tarsus scutellate in front and behind. 

 \ Feet semipalmate ; toes somewhat webbed at base. 

 a Tail barred crosswise, with light and dark colors. 

 &. Gape not reaching beyond base of culmen. 

 c. Culmen furrowed ; length less than 12. 



MACRORHAMPHUS, 4 



