limosinJ:. 679 



contributions to Ornithology. It is found throughout India, 

 Ceylon, Burmah, parts of Malayana, and Southern China, and also 

 throughout Africa. 



The remaining Longirostres are mostly diurnal in their habits. 



Sub-fam. Limosin^e, Godwits. 



Bill much lengthened, soft at the tip, straight or slightly 

 turned upwards ; mostly of somewhat large size ; plumage plain ; 

 a distinct web between the outer toes. 



The Godwits approach the Snipes in the form of their bill and 

 the softness of its tip, but differ much in coloration, wanting their 

 rich plumage. In this respect they more closely resemble the Tringcs, 

 having a vernal change to rufous as in many of that group, from 

 which they differ chiefly by their longer bills, and slightly webbed 

 feet. They also frequent open ground, not affecting concealment 

 at all ; are diurnal, and the eye is less remote from the bill. The first 

 has almost the bill of Scolopaa;, and has usually been called a Snipe. 



Gen. Macroramphus, Leach. 



Char. — Bill very long, straight, higher than wide, dilated at 

 the tip and reticulated like that of Gallinago ; lower part of the 

 tibia bare ; middle toe joined by web to the outer one, and 

 partially also to the inner one ; wings long, reaching to the end of 

 the tail, 1st and 2nd quills longest ; scapulars long ; tail moderate. 

 Plumage between that of Tringa and Numenius. 



This genus differs from Gallinago by the partially webbed feet, 

 longer legs and plumage. It forms a complete transition between 

 the Scolopacince and the Limosinte, and is generally classed with 

 the former, but its plumage and diurnal habits are those of the 

 Godwits or Curlews. The Indian species differs slightly from the 

 American form by having the inner toe connected to the middle 

 one by a web nearly as large as that of the outer toe, and has 

 been named Pseudoscolopax by Blyth, Micropahna by Verreaux. 



874. Macrorhamphus semipalmatus, Jerdon. 



Blyth, J. A. S. XVII. 252— Blyth, Cat. 1604— Micropalma 

 Tacksanowskii, Verreaux, Mag. Zool. 1860, pi. 14 — Macrorham- 

 phus griseus, var. A., Bonaparte. 



