GRALLATORES. 93 



mus, (Gr. oidos, a swelling ; knemos, knee or shank bone ;) ere- 

 pitans, (Lat. making a rattling noise,) is about sixteen inches in 

 length, and esteemed a delicate bird for the table. The generic 

 name is given to this bird on account of the dilated or swollen 

 form of the upper part of the tarsus, and the size of the knee- 

 joint in the young birds. Their shrill evening cry pierces the 

 ear, and may be heard, in the night, for nearly a mile. 



The GOLDEN PLOVER, Charadrius Virginianicus, C. marmo- 

 ratus, (marble-colored,) Aud., differs slightly in size from the Eu- 

 ropean Golden Plover, C. pluvialis, and in having the long axil- 

 lary feathers dull brown instead of pure white. It ranges from 

 23 to 75o N. L., breeding in the arctic regions. From the gen- 

 eral greenish appearance of their plumage, these birds are called 

 Greenbacks. They are highly prized by the epicures of the fur 

 countries, and they figure largely in the bills of fare of the old 

 English nobles. Ths Golden Plover is about ten inches in length, 

 and found in every continent. The generic name denotes a bird 

 found in cavities or hollows like those worn by a rapid stream or 

 torrent. 



The OYSTER-CATCHER or SEA PIE, Hamatogus, (Gr. haima, 

 blood ; dps, face,) palliatus, (mantled,) is named from the red ap- 

 pearance of the bill and feet, and from the black of the upper 

 plumage, which, contrasting with the pure white under plumage, 

 has the appearance of a mantle. It feeds on oysters and other 

 sea bivalves. The bill in this genus is long and wedge-shaped, 

 with the tip much compressed ; the feet have three toes, all di- 

 rected forward and bordered with a narrow membrane. The 

 Oyster-catcher breeds from Texas to Labrador. Its flesh is tough 

 and unsavory. 



The GRAY PLOVER, or GRAY LAPWING, Squatarola cinerea, 

 (ash-colored,) has a rather strong cylindrical bill, swollen half 

 way from the tip; the feet are four-toed, (the hind toe quite 

 small.) In the warmer parts of the United States, this bird often 

 has two breeds in a season ; it runs well ; its whistle is like that 

 of the Golden Plover, but not so shrill. If killed in good season 

 it is fine for the table. 



The TURNSTONE, Strepsilas, (Gr. strepho, to turn ;) interpres, 

 (Lat. interpreter.) is widely distributed in both continents. It 

 has four toes; the bill is compressed at the base, swollen in the 

 middle, and blunt at the tip. The name Turnstone is given to it 

 from its habit of turning over stones to obtain the small crustace- 

 ans and molluscous animals which constitute its food. It is 

 known to sportsmen under the names of Brant-bird and Beach- 

 bird. From its fondness for the eggs of the Horsefoot, (Limulus 



