382 AVES. 
parallel to its edges. The nostrils are oval, and situated at a short 
distance from the origin of each groove. Their small tongue, reti- 
culated legs, the extent of the membranes of their feet, their two 
very small ceca, their but slightly muscular gizzard, and their lower 
larynx destitute of peculiar muscles, are the same as in the Storks, 
but the expansion of their bill deprives it of all its strength, and 
renders it fit for nothing but turning up mud, or capturing small fish 
or aquatic insects. » 
P. leucorodia, Gm.; Enl. 405; Naum. Supp. 44, f. 87. (The 
White Spoonbill.) All white, and a crest on the occiput; it is 
found throughout the eastern continent, where it builds on high 
trees. The * Spatule blanche sans huppe,”’ Buff. Hist. des Ois. 
tom. VII, pl. 24, according to Bail, is but the young of this 
species. Besides the absence of the crest, it is distinguished by 
the quills of the wings having a black edge. 
P. aiaia; La Spatule rose; Enl. 165; Vieill. Gal. 248. (The 
Roseate Spoonbill.) The face is naked, and the plumage tinged 
with various shades of a bright rose-colour which becomes more 
* intense with age. It is peculiar to South America. 
“ 
he 
FAMILY IV. 
LONGIROSTRES. 
This family is composed of a multitude of Waders, most of 
which were included in the genus Scolopax of Linnzus, and 
"the remainder confounded in that of Zringa, L., though partly 
in opposition to the character of this genus, which consists in 
a thumb too short to reach the ground. A small number were 
placed among the Plovers on account of the total absence of a 
thumb. All these birds have nearly the same form, similar 
habits and very frequently even a similarity in the distribu- 
tion of their colours, which renders it a difficult matter to dis- 
tinguish one from another. Their general character is a long, 
slender, and feeble bill, the use of which is restricted to search-. 
ing in the mud for worms and insects; the different gradations 
in the form of this bill serve to divide them into genera 
and subgenera. 
According to his own principles, Linneus should have 
united most of these birds in the great genus 
