THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 151 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable, and 

 live in open country, sometimes high up in 

 mountains. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are good eating. 



CAPTIVITY. They can be kept, but have never been 

 brought to Europe. 



DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. South America. There 

 are only five species, of which the best -known is 

 the Common Seed-snipe (Thinocorys rumicivorus). 



SHEATHBILLS (Chionididce). 



DIAGNOSIS. White shore-birds, with short thick beaks 

 and longish legs, with small useless hind-toe. 



SIZE. About that of a crow. 



FORM. Bill short, stout, covered with a horny sheath 

 at base ; feet with medium shanks, a short web 

 between the two outer front toes, hind-toe small 

 and useless. General proportions moderate, wings 

 rather long and pointed, with spurs at the pinion 

 in males ; tail medium. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. White ; no sexual dif- 

 ference. The face is more or less naked and 

 covered with warts. 



YOUNG. Downy and active ; plain grey in colour. 

 First plumage white as in adults. 



NEST. Rough, placed in a hole or hollow on the 

 ground. 



EGGS. Two or three, white, with many red markings. 



COURTSHIP. Somewhat as in pigeons. 



FOOD. Shore animals, eggs, seaweed, carrion. 



GAIT. A walk or run ; they can swim on occasion. 



FLIGHT. Said to be like that of a pigeon ; they may 

 sometimes be found far out at sea. 



NOTE. A chuckle. 



HABITS. Tame and inquisitive with man ; pugnacious 

 and destructive to other birds. 



