CHAPTEE IX. 



CHAEADBIIBM. 



Diagnosis of The diagnosis of the family of which this work treats can only be written by some 

 famHy. ornithologist who possesses an accurate knowledge of the external and internal characters 



of all birds, an ideal naturalist who does not yet exist. 

 Subfamilies. The birds comprised in the family may be separated into three groups or subfamilies. 



The diagnosis of these three subfamilies is a very easy matter, but they are so intimately 



connected vidth each other that the subdivision must be regarded as very probably artificial 



to a considerable extent. 



KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES. 



a. Middle and outer toes connected by a web at the base. 



a}-. Nasal aperture extending beyond the basal fourth of the bill. . CHARADRIIN.ffi. 

 V-. Nasal aperture not extending beyond the basal fourth of the bill TOTANIN-Sl. 



b. Toes all cleft to the base 



SCOLOPACINiE. 



Diagnosis. 



Characters 

 of sub- 

 family. 



Genera. 



Subfamily C H AE, ADEIIN.aE. 



CharadriidvE digito externo cum medio ad basin membran^ connexo : narium aperturS, ultra 

 partem quartam rostri a basi extensa. 



The Charadriinse may be diagnosed as follows : — 



Charadriidse having the outer and middle toes united by a web at the base ; and 

 having the nasal aperture extending beyond the basal fourth of the bill. 



About a hundred birds belonging to this family possess both these characters, and 

 appear to be more nearly related to each other than they are to the remaining species. 



They may be divided into six well-marked genera, most of which are founded upon 

 so-called structural characters, but some are dependent upon characters of comparatively 

 small importance, though in most cases it will be found that these apparently insignificant 



