POBPHYEIO POLIOCEPHALTJS. 799 



well-incubated ones . . . When fresh the ground-colour varies from a pale piukish stone-colour to a beautiful 

 pure salmon-pink; but the rosy tint* disappears rapidly." The markings are described as being "rich 

 almost lake-red," mingled with pale purple blotches and clouds. The average of a large number of ea;gs 

 is 1-93 by 1-39 inch. 



* My specimens had been prepared for some considerable time. 



GRALL.E. 

 Fam. SCOLOPACID^E *. 



Bill lengthened and slender, flexible and more or less soft ; the terminal portion in one 

 group pittuled. Tertials elongated. Tail short. Tibia in all but one genus bare above the knee. 

 Toes usually webbed slightly at the base. 



Sternum with a high keel ; variable as regards the notches. 



Genus EHTNCHiEA. 



Bill long, slender, the tip slightly swollen and curved, a long groove in the upper mandible 

 and a shorter one in the lower ; nostrils linear, placed near the base and closer to the margin 

 than the culmen. Wings moderate, ample, the 1st and 2nd quills equal and longest ; tertials not 

 quite equal to the primaries. Tail short, rather square at the tip ; of 14 feathers. Legs mode- 

 rately long. Tarsus equal to the middle toe with its claw, and shielded with rectangular scales 

 in front. Toes free to the base ; outer toe longer than the inner by the length of the claw ; hind 

 toe considerably above the rest. 



Sexes differing in plumage. 



* N.B. — The Snipes, including the genus Ehynehcea, are usually grouped in the subfamily Scolopacince. It is a 

 question, however, whether the Painted Snipe strictly belongs to this group, as the structure of its bill and wing differs 

 from the Snipes ; and, in fact, it belongs more to the last family than the present. 



