62 TENTATRICES. 



drical, generally flexible and elastic. Tongue slender, 

 sagittate and papillate at the base, triangular, tapering 

 to a point ; on the roof of the mouth two rows of papillae 

 directed backwards ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus 

 oblong or bulbiform ; stomach oblong, elliptical or round- 

 ish, always with strong lateral muscles, large tendi- 

 nous spaces, and dense, hard, longitudinally rugous epi- 

 thelium ; intestine of moderate length, rather narrow ; 

 coeca rather long, cylindrical or oblong ; cloaca oblong. 

 Nostrils linear, subbasal, direct. Eyes small. Aperture 

 of ear moderate. Legs long or moderate, slender ; tibia 

 bare to a great extent, but in a few instances feathered 

 to the joint ; tarsus slender, generally scutellate ; toes of 

 moderate length, slender, the anterior webbed at the base, 

 the hind toe very small and elevated, sometimes wanting ; 

 claws small, compressed, arched, rather acute. Plumage 

 generally soft and blended, on the upper parts somewhat 

 compact ; the feathers oblong or ovate, with a rather large 

 downy plumule ; wings long, of moderate breadth, acute ; 

 the first quill generally longest ; some of the inner secon- 

 daries much elongated, narrow, and tapering ; tail short 

 or moderate, of twelve or more feathers, and varying in 

 form. 



Birds of this order occur in all countries, and in Bri- 

 tain are numerous. They frequent marshes, the margins 

 of lakes and rivers, and the shores of the sea. Their 

 food consists of worms, testaceous mollusca, and insects, 

 along with which a quantity of sand is swallowed, their 

 stomach being a true gizzard. They generally run with 

 great speed, have a rapid flight, emit shrill cries, wade 

 in the water, and procure their food by probing the mud 

 or sand. Most of them are extremely shy and vigilant. 

 They nestle on the ground, laying four pyriform spotted 



