46 INTRODUCTION. 



the Deity, we shall see in every part of the work of his hands 

 abundant cause to exclaim with the enraptured poet of nature, 



"O Wisdom infinite! Goodness immense! 

 And Love that passeth knowledge !" 



In the present volume, the greater part of such of the Waders 

 as belong to the territories of the United States, will be found 

 delineated and described. This class naturally forms an inter- 

 mediate link between the Land birds and the Web-footed, 

 partaking, in their form, food and habits, of the characters of 

 both; and equally deserving of our regard and admiration. 

 Though formed for traversing watery situations, often in com- 

 pany with the Swimmers, they differ from these last in one 

 circumstance common to Land Birds, the separation of the toes 

 nearly to their origin; and in the habit of seldom venturing 

 beyond their depth. On the other hand, they are furnished 

 with legs of extraordinary length, bare for a considerable space 

 above the knees, by the assistance of which they are enabled 

 to walk about in the water in pursuit of their prey, where the 

 others are obliged to swim; and also with necks of corresponding 

 length, by means of which they can search the bottom for food, 

 where the others must have recourse to diving. The bills of 

 one family (the Herons) are strong, sharp pointed, and of con- 

 siderable length; while the flexibility of the neck, the rapidity 

 of its action, and remarkable acuteness of sight, wonderfully fit 

 them for watching, striking, and securing their prey. Those 

 whose food consists of more feeble and sluggish insects, that lie 

 concealed deeper in the mud, are provided with bills of still 

 greater extension, the rounded extremity of which possesses 

 such nice sensibility, as to enable its possessor to detect its prey 

 the instant it comes in contact with it, though altogether be- 

 yond the reach of sight. 



Other families of this same order, formed for traversing the 

 sandy sea-beach in search of small shell-fish that lurk just below 

 the surface, have the bills and legs necessarily shorter; but 



