1 52 AVES. 



and on the middle of which there is a simple groove ; this point is soft and 

 very sensible, and when dried, after death, assumes a punctured appearance. 

 Their feet are not pahnated. A peculiar character of these birds consists in 

 their compressed head and large eyes placed very far back, which gives them 

 a singularly stupid air, an indication which is confirmed by their habits. 



Our common Woodcock (Scol. minor) belongs to this genus, as does also 

 the Red-breasted Snipe, &c. 



KHYNCH.KA, Cuvier. 



Birds of India and Africa, whose nearly equal mandibles are slightly arcu- 

 ated at the end, and in which the nasal fossae extend to the tip of the upper 

 one, which has no third groove. Their feet are not palmated. 



LIMOSA, Becfistein. 



The Godwits have a straight beak, longer than the snipe's, and sometimes 

 even slightly arcuated near the top. The nasal groove extends close to the 

 tip, which is blunt and somewhat depressed ; no third groove or punctation on 

 its surface. The external toes are palmated at base. Their form is more 

 slender, and their legs are longer than those of snipes; they frequent salt 

 marshes and the sea-shore. 



CALIDRIS, Cuvier. 



The bill of the Sandpipers is depressed at the end, and the nasal fossa. 1 are 

 very long, as in the godwits, but this bill is not usually longer than the head ; 

 their slightly bordered toes have no membranes at base, and their thumb 

 can hardly reach the ground; their moderately long legs and short figure 

 give them a heavier carriage than that of the godwits. They are also much 

 smaller. 



AHENARIA, Bec/istein CALIDRIS, Vigors. 



The Sanderli.ig-s resemble the sandpipers in every point but one ; viz. they 

 have no thumb, as is the case with the plovers. 



PELIDNA, Cuvier. 



The I'f.'i'hta; are merely small sandpipers, with a bill somewhat longer than 

 the head. The edging of their feet is insensible. 



MACHETES, Curier. 



The Huff's are true sandpipers in their bill and carriage ; the membrane 

 between their external toes, however, is nearly as extensive as in Totanus, 

 Limosa, &c. 



One species only is known, the Tringa pvgnax, Lin. It is somewhat 

 smaller than a snipe, and celebrated for the furious combats that take place 

 among the males in their nuptial season. At this period the head is partly 

 covered with red papilla?; the neck is surrounded with a thick collar of feathers, 

 so variously arranged and coloured, and projecting in such fantastic positions, 

 that no two individuals can be found alike; even before this epoch there is so 



