EUMENIUS. 251 



this subfamily (except Nunieniu^ in which the back of the tarsus 

 is reticulated) have the tarsus scutulate or transversely shielded 

 both in front and behind, and all undergo a considerable change of 

 plumage at the spring moult, and have a distinct summer and 

 winter garb. In only one genus is there any decided difference in 

 plumage between the sexes, and in that case it is confined to the 

 breeding dress. 



All the birds of this subfamily are winter visitors to India, only 

 one species being known to breed even in the Himalayas. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Toes not fringed by a lobed web like a Gout's. 

 a'. Toes partially webbed at the base. 



a". Bill long, curved downwards NUMENIUS, p. 251. 



b". Bill straight or slightly curving upwards. 

 3 . Bill longer than tail. 



a 1 . Bill not broader at end LIMOSA, p. 254. 



b 1 . Bill Snipe-like, broader at end and 



pitted MACRORHAMPHUS, 



Z> 3 . Bill not longer than tail. fp. 257. 



c l . Bill nearly twice as long as tarsus . . TEREKIA, p. 2~58. 

 d\ Bill shorter than tarsus or not much 

 longer. 



a\ Sexes alike TOTANUS, p. 259. 



b 5 . Sexes in breeding-season different . PAVONCELLA, p. 268. 

 b'. Toes divided to base ; bill soft, flexible. 



c". No hind toe CALIDRIS, p. 270. 



d". A hind toe. 



c :! . Bill spoon-shaped, greatly expanded [p. 271. 



near tip EURYNORHYNCHUS, 



d 3 . Bill slender, not spoon-shaped TRINGA, p. 272. 



b. Anterior toes with a lobed web throughout . . PHALAROPUS, p. 280. 



Genus NUMENIUS, Brisson, 1760. 



Bill very long, slender, curved downwards, tip of the upper 

 mandible obtuse, projecting beyond the lower; nostril in a groove 

 that extends three-quarters the length of the bill or more. 

 AYings long, pointed, 1st quill longest, tertiaries long ; tail short, 

 rounded. Legs of moderate length ; tarsus reticulated except on 

 the lower portion in front, where it is covered with transverse 

 scutation ; hind toe well developed, anterior toes webbed at the 

 base, claws dilated. 



About eight or nine species of Curlews and Whimbrels are 

 known, very widely distributed. Two are Indian. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Crown streaked ; bill 5 to 7 inches long N. arqitata, p. 252. 



b. Crown brown with a pale median baud ; bill 



under 4 in N. phteopus, p. 253. 



