FAMILY CEDICNEMID^. 



I may just mention that the descriptions of the Limicolce have perforce to be 

 much more full and minute than those of other families of birds, owing to the 

 fact that some species have as many as four separate dresses, depending on age, 

 sex, or season ; this must be my apology for making my part of this work, I fear, 

 somewhat dry ; but any description which did not allude to the alternative 

 plumages, would certainly fail largely in enabling those, who are dependent on 

 descriptions, to recognize the birds with anything like certainty. I may add that 

 nearly all the descriptions, and the birds figured in the plates, are taken from 

 carefully chosen specimens in my own collection ; for the American species I am 

 indebted to my friend, Mr. Dresser, for the loan of skins. 



H. H. SLATER. 



FAMILY CEDICNEMIDvE. 



A SMALL group of birds, burly in build, frequenting Steppes and open country 

 inland, and entirely nocturnal in habits, as may be guessed from the large 

 size of the eye. The legs are reticulated, i.e., covered with hexagonal scales both 

 in front and behind, most birds, (and most of the Limicolce), having the front of 

 the tarsus protected with broad transverse scales (scutellated) ; only three toes, 

 the hind one being absent. The spinal feather tract on the back is not forked, 

 as in the other Limicolce. Tail feathers much graduated, the central much longer 

 than the lateral ones. Nest none, only the merest hollow in the gravel. 



