i1S 
RECURVIROSTRA. : 
RECURVIROSTRA, Auctorum. 
Piorus, Klein. 
CHARACTER GENERICUS. 
Rostrum depresso-planum, subulatum, recurvatum, acumi- 
natum ; nares oblonge. 
Pedes elongati tetradactyli; digitis tribus anticis palmatis; 
postico, brevissimo, a terra elevato, 
AVOSET. 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Beak depressed-flat, subulate, recurved, acuminate; xostrils 
oblong. 
Legs elongate, with four toes; three fore-toes palmate ; 
hinder toe very short, not touching the ground. 
The avosets inhabit the sea-shore, living on worms of 
various kinds, which they are said to scoop from the sand 
with their bill, which, if it were not flexible at its extre- 
mity, would appear to be well adapted for this purpose. 
