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Tribe LONOIROSTRU. 



Genus Arocrtta, 

 1880. The skeleton of the Avocet (Recurrirottra Avocetta). 



The typical character* of the skeleton of the C.rallir are well-marked in thii bird ; but by 

 a singular exception to tbe usual form of the beak in the Longirottm, the long and (lender 

 > are (lightly curved upward*, whence the name of the genus. There are 21 ver- 

 i between the (kull and the Mcrum, of which the lad eight bear moveable ribn, and the 

 but six are united to the (ternum by bony bjemapophyM* : a ninth pair of rib ii attached to 

 the (acrum, but ita hsemapophyai*, which MtpporU the tune element of a tenth rib, does not 

 quite reach the sternum. In the recent bird the feet are webbed nearly to the toe*. The 

 pecan frequent* the sea-shores of Europe, anil feeds by ' (cooping,' a* it is termed, with ita 

 angular bill, drawing thii through the mud or land from right to left as it advance* it* left 

 leg foremost, and no* eerW, Mixing whatever small *oft-bodied animal may thus be met with. 



MM. South. 



1290. The skeleton of the Long-legged Plover, or Stilt-bird (Himantopiu laelano- 

 ptcnu). 



In this specie*, the characteristic of ita Order, vii. the length and slendemes* of the tibia 

 and metatarsus, reaches it* maximum ; the metatarsus being one-third longer than the entire 

 trunk, measured from the first dorsal vertebra to the cud of the pelvis. There are 20 verte- 

 brae between the skull and sacrum, of which the last five support rib* ; the first pair are free ; 

 the rest articulate with the sternum by bony hsemapophyse* ; the hut pair of rib* are attached 

 to the sacrum, and do not reach the sternum. There are 7 caudal vertebra:. 



J/ia. Brooke*. 



1291. The skeleton of the Long-legged Plover (I lima* f opus mf/anoptertui). 



There are 20 vertebra: between the skull and sacrum, of which the last five bear moveable 

 rib* ; the first two pain are free, and the hut four are united to the sternum by hn-mnpo- 

 physes. There are 7 caudal vertebra?. 



Mm. South. 



1292. The skeleton of the Snipe (Scolopax Gallimtyo). 



The upper part of the sacrum is perforated by a double series of foramina on each side the 

 coalesced spine*. There are 21 vertebrae between the skull and sacrum, the hut seven uf 

 which bear moveable rib* ; the first pair are free ; the rest are united to the sternum by hsem- 

 apophyse*. There are 7 caudal vertebrae. 



Mut. South. 

 Si 



