74 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



FAMILY RECUR VIROSTRID-2E. THE AVOCETS AND STILTS. 



The Recurvirostridce, in addition to the features already men- 

 tioned (see p. 19), are characterized by the excessive length of 

 the legs, with very long slender neck and subulate, elongated 

 bill. The plumage has the same dense, soft character as that 

 of the Plialaropodidce, Fulicinoz, and Longipennes. 



GENERA. 



A. Hind toe present. 



1. Reeurvirostra. Anterior toes all webbed; bill recurved. 



B. Hind toe wanting. 



2. Himantopus. No web between middle and inner toes, and web between outer and 

 middle toes quite small; bill slightly upturned from the middle, cylindrical or 

 scarcely depressed ; tarsus much longer than the bill. 



GENUS RECTJRVIROSTRA LINN^US. 



Reeurvirostra LINN. Syst. Nat. ed, 10, i, 1758, 151. Type, R. avosetta LINN. 



CHAB. Hind toe rudimentary, but distinct; anterior toes united by a much emarginated 

 membrane. Bill depressed, decidedly recurved, extended into a fine point, which is slightly 

 decurved. Tail covered by the wings. 



The species of Avocet are few in number, there being one pe- 

 culiar to North America, South America, Australia, and Europe 

 respectively. 



Reeurvirostra americana Gmel. 



AMERICAN AVOCET. 



Popular synonyms. White Snipe (Salt Lake Valley); Yelper; Lawyer; Scooper. 

 Reeurvirostra americana GMEL. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 693. WILSON, Am. Orn.vii, 1813, 126, 



pi. 63, flg. 9. NUTT. Man. ii, 1834, 75. AUD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 168, pi. 318; Synop. 1839,252; 



Birds Am. vi, 1843, 24. pi. 353. BAIBD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 703; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 



517. COUES, Key, 1872, 147; Check List, 1873, No. 407; 2d ed. 1882, No. 600. RIDGW. 



Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 566; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 146.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 



1884, 341. A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 225. 

 Reeurvirostra occidentalis VIG. ZooL Jour, iv, 1829, 356 ; ZooL Voy. Blossom, 1839. 28, pi 



12. CABS. Ulustr. B. CaL, Tex., etc.. 1855, 232, pi. 40 (=winter plumage!). 



