CHARADEIID^] NUMENIUS 385 



Subfamily III. TOTANIN^. 



Bill variable in length ; nasal groove extending along the greater 

 part of the mandible ; eyes normal ; tarsus shielded in front ; a 

 distinct seasonal change of plumage. 



Genus I. NUMENIUS. 



Numenius, Briss. Orn. v, p. 311 (1760) N. arquatus. 



Bill long, at least twice the length of the head, slightly down- 

 curved and arched, the upper mandible obtuse and projecting 

 beyond the lower ; nostrils linear slits in a distinct depression 

 extending about three quarters the length of the bill ; wing 



FIG. 126. Left foot of Numenius arquatus. x . 



moderate, first primary the longest, inner secondaries nearly as 

 long as the primaries ; tarsus stout, hardly twice the length of the 

 middle toe and claw, covered in front for the distal two-thirds with 

 transverse scutes, elsewhere with reticulate scales ; hind toe present 

 25 VOL. iv. 



