51U 



NORTH AMKKICAN lilliUS. 



Gknus FLECTROPHANES, Mkyer. 



Phrt ropha lies, tilF.YKn, " Tascliciiluu^li, ISIO." Afjassiz. {Tyyo, Einhfrhn nivdiji.) 

 CcnlniphniKK, KAur, " Kiitw. Ucscli. l'',iii'o]>. Tliierwelt, 1621)." Agiissiz. (Tyi*> E. Inp- 

 pan iai. ) 



Gkn. CiiAii. Bill variable ; conical; tli(! lower mandible higher than the upper; the 

 sides of l)()tli iiiMiidililcs (in the typical spe<ies) ifuarded by a closely applied brush oC 

 stid'eued bristly leather.-! directed forwards, and in the upper jivw concealing tho nostrils; 



<r 



Vttrirophaius nivalis. 



the outlines of the bill nearly straight, or slightly ciuved ; the lower jaw considerably 

 broa-'er at tiie base than the upper, ami wider than the gonys is long. Tarsi considerably 

 longer than the middle toe; llie lulciid toes nearly eijual (the inner claw largest), and 

 rcftciiing to the liase of the middle elaw. The hinder claw very long, moderately curved 

 and acute, considerably longer than it.s t<ie ; the toe and claw together reaching to the middle 

 of the middle <law, or beyond its tip. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching 

 nearly to tlie end of the tail ; the lirst (piill longest; the others rapidly graduated ; the 

 tertiaries a little longer than the seeondaries. Tail moderate, about two thirds as long as 

 tiie wings; nearly even, or slightly eniarginated. 



The species of this genus are esseiititilly boreal and cosmopolitan, altliough 



America jwssesses four species 

 not found, like her two others, 

 in the Old World. Tliey are 

 all ground-birds, collecting in 

 large flocks, iii autumn and 

 winter, on prairies and plains, 

 some of the sjjccies passing far 

 to tlie soutliward. There is 

 much variation in the color, and 

 in tlie details of structure of 

 bill and feet. In P. nivalis 

 alone is the fringe of bristly 

 feathers idong tlie side of tlie bill very distinct. The gonys idso is excep- 

 tiouidly short, being less than half the length of the culmeu. 



P'lrlri'itliinifs nil'nlis 



