CuRLEW. GRALLATORES. NUMENIUS. 61 
Genus NUMENIUS, Zary. CURLEW. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill very long, slender, incurved, slightly compressed, 
rounded through its whole length, with the tip of the under 
mandible projecting beyond. the lower one; hard, and semi- 
obtuse; laterally furrowed for three-fourths of its length. 
Tomia of the upper mandible a little in advance from the 
base, bending inwards progressively towards the tip, and 
forming a channel in the centre of the interior of the bill ; 
those of the under mandible even and straight. Angle of 
the chin very narrow, extending about one-half the length of 
the bill, and covered with feathers. Nostrils near the base 
of the bill, placed in the lateral groove, linear, and covered 
above by a naked membrane. ‘Lores (or space between the 
bill and eyes) covered with feathers. 
Legs long, siender, naked above the tarsal joint. Feet 
four-toed ; three before and one behind; the front ones 
connected at the base by a large membrane. Toes short ; 
the outer and inner ones of nearly equal length; hind toe 
short, and articulated above the plane of the others upon the 
tarsus, its tip only resting on the ground. Claws short and 
blunt. Front of the tarsus partly scutellated ; back of the 
tarsus reticulated. Front of the toes scutellated. 
The Curlews, from their close affinity to the genus Jbis 
of the preceding family, are properly placed at the head of 
the Scvlopacide, to the most typical species of which they 
directly lead through other nearly allied groups, thus main- 
taining that striking succession of affinities which is so uni- 
versally found throughout Nature. They are birds of mi- 
gratory habits, and, during the winter season, collect in 
flocks, and resort to the sea shores; generally frequenting 
such as offer extensive cozy sands, easily perforated by their 
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