TRYNGITES. 225 



Genus TRYNGITES. 



The genus Trynyites was established by Cabanis in 1856, in the ' Journal 

 fur Ornithologie/ iv. p. 418, for the reception of the Buff -breasted Sand- 

 piper, Tryngites rufescens, which he made the type. 



It forms another link between the closely allied genera Tringa and 

 Totanus, having, like the Sanderling, the hard bill of the latter and the 

 cleft toes of the former. It differs from the Sanderling, not only in 

 having a hind toe, but also in the changes of plumage which it undergoes. 

 In this respect, as well as in many of its habits, it resembles the Snipes. 



Only one species is known, which breeds in the Nearctic Region and 

 winters in the Neotropical Region, occasionally straying to Europe on 

 migration. 



VOL. III. 



