SCOLOPACID^ — TIIR SNIPE FA>rTLY — MICROPALAMA. 201 



Genus MICROPALAMA, Baird. 



Hemipalama, Bonap. Synop. 1828, 316 (type, 'I'ringa himantopus, Boxap. ; nee Bonap. Obs. 



Wilson, 1825, no. 212, which includes only Trhiya semipalmata, WiLs. ). 

 Micropalama, Baihd, Biids N. Am. 1858, 726 (type, I'ringa himantopus, Bonap.). 



Char. Form slendei', thu legs very long, the bill long and much compressed, the anterior toes 

 all webljed at the base. Tarsus nearly twice as long as the middle toe, which is a little shorter 

 than the bare portion of the tibiic, this scutellate before and behind, like the tarsus. Bill slender, 

 straight, about equal to the tarsus, greatly compressed, except at the end, which is decidedly ex- 

 panded laterally. TaU nearly even, but the central and exterior feathers usually perceptibly 

 longer than the rest. Wings long and pointed. 



The present genus, with a basal membrane to all the anterior toes, a.s in Ereunetes, has this a 

 little more deeply emarginate ; the bill and legs much longer ; the former more curved. The bare 

 portion of tibia is covered before and behind by transverse scutellae, like the tarsus. The tail 

 is nearly even, with a double emargination. The middle toe is not two thirds the length of the 

 tarsus, but about equal to the bare portion of the tibia. The bill is much pitted at the end in the 

 dry skin. 



In many respects this species approaches the Snipes, and its true place is probably very near 

 Macrorhamphm. The legs, however, are much longer, and equal to the bill, instead of being 

 much shorter. 



Micropalama himantopus. 



THE STILT SANDPIPER. 



Tringa himantopus, Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. II. 1826, 157. — Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 380. 



— AUD. Orn. Biog. IV. 1838, 332, pi. 334 ; Synop. 1839. 235 ; B. Am. V. 1842, 271, pi. 334. 

 Tringa (Hemipalama) himantopus, Boxap. Specc. Comp. 1827, 61. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 138. 

 Micropalama himnntopus, Cass, in Biiird's B. N. Am. 1858, 726. — Baip.d, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 



536. — CouES, Key, 1872, 253 ; Check List, 1873, no. 416 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 611 ; Birds N. W. 



1874, 480. — RiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 528. 

 Hemipalama multUtrigala, Gray, Gen. B. III. 1849, 578, pi. 156. 

 Tringa Doxujlasii, Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 379, pi. 66. 

 Tringa {Heriii2mlama) Douglasii, Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 141. 

 Tringa (Hemipalama) Auduhoni, Nutt. t. c. 141. 



Hab. Eastern Province of North America, Middle America, and greater part of South 

 America ; breeding north of the United States, and visiting the southern localities in winter ; 

 Bermudas ; West Indies, in general ; Brazil ; Peru. Not recorded from west of the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



Sp. Char. Adult, summer plumage : Above, variegated with black, whitish gray, and pale buff, 

 the first prevailing on the back and scapulars ; wings rather dark gray, the feathers edged with 



i*) 



paler ; primaries dusky slate ; rump gra\nsh, the feathers «-ith darker centres ; upper tail-coverts 

 white, the longer ones barred, the anterior ones longitudinally marked with dusky. Middle taU- 

 voL. I. — 26 



