618 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOL^. 



d. The Tattlers {Totamis, etc.), with which it is raiigedj heyond. In this, the largest and 

 most varied group, the bill has comparatively little of the sensitiveness of that of all the fore- 

 goingj and the gape is longer, extending obviously beyond the base of the culmen, and some- 

 times to nearly below the eyes. It varies much in length and shape, but it is xisiially longer 

 than the head, and very slender, not often grooved to the tip, and is either straight, or bent 

 slightly upward. The body and its members are commonly more elongate than in the foregoing, 

 the toes have a basal web or two, and the hinder is always present. The tail is usually barred. 

 These are noisy, restless birds itf the marshes and sand-flats and mud-bars of estuaries, and 

 apparently do not probe for food to any extent ; they gain their name from their harsh voice. 

 The Yellowshanks is a typical example of the group ; most of the species cluster close about 

 this type, and might go in the single genus Totanus. The only extra-limital forms are 

 ^chynorhynelms parvirostris and Prosohonia leucoptera, of the Pacific Islands ; curious species 

 apparently near Tryngites. There are about 18 species in all, universally distiibuted. Finally. 



e. The Curleivs (Niimenius) are distinguished by the downward curvature, extreme slen- 

 derness, and usually great length of the bill, with the slight scutellation of the tarsus. In size 

 and general appearance they are near the Grodwits j they inhabit all parts of the world. They 

 all beh^ng to the genus Niimenius, which has about a dozen species — excepting the Tbidor- 

 hyncha stnithersi of Asia, which is a three-toed Curlew, not showing the coloration character- 

 istic 01 the rest. Analysis of North American Genera of Scolopacidoe. 



Toes 3. {Sandpiper.) Calidris 240 



Toes 4. 



Bill spoon-sliaped Eurynorhynchus 241 



Bill not spoon -shaped. 



One outer primary emarginate, narrowed. CWoodcock. ) .... - Scolopax 230 



Three outer primaries emarginate, narrowly linear. (Woodcock.) Philohela 229 



No outer primaries emarginate. 

 Toes cleft to the base. 



Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. 



Bill about twice as long as head ; tibise naked below. (Snipe.) Gallinago 231 



Bill little longer than head ; tibise feathered to the joint. (Sandpiper.) . . . Arquatella 236 

 Tarsus about equal to or longer than middle toe and claw. (Sandpipers.) 

 Bill slightly curved, longer than head. 



Tarsus evidently longer than middle toe and claw Ancylocliilus 238 



Tarsus equal to or barely longer than middle toe and claw Pdidna 237 



Bill perfectly straight, much shorter than head. Primaries m,ottled .... Tryngites 249 

 Bill perfectly straight, equal to or longer than head. 



Tarsus much longer than middle toe and claw Tringa 239 



Tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw Actodromas 235 



Toes semipalmate, with one or two evident webs. 



Tarsus scutellate in front only; bill very long, decurved. (Curlews.) Numenius 251 



Tarsus scutellate in front only ; bill barely longer than head, straight .... Heteroscelus 250 

 Tarsus scutellate in front and behind. 



Tail not barred. One minute web. Primaries mottled Tryngites 249 



Tail not barred. Two full basal webs. Primaries plain. (Sandpipers.) 



Bill shorter or scarcely longer than head Ereunetes 234 



Bill much longer than head Micropalama 233 



Tail barred crosswise with light and dark colors. 

 Gape not reaching beyond base of bill. 



Culmen furrowed at end. Under a foot long. (Snipe.). . . . Macroi'hamphus 232 

 Culmen not furrowed. Bill if anything recurved. Over a foot long. (Godwits.) 



L'nnosa 242 

 Gape longer. Length under 9 inches. (Tattlers.) 



Bill grooved nearly to tip Tringoides 246 



Bill grooved about half-way to tip Ehyacophllus 245 



Gape longer. Length over 9 inches. (Tattlers.) 



Bill not longer than head, grooved three-fourths its length. 



Tail about half as long as wing Bartramia 248 



Tail not half as long as wing Machetes 247 



Bill longer than head 



Legs bluish. Toes semipalmate. Bill stout. (WiUet.) .... Symphemia 243 

 Legs green or yellow. Bill slender. (Yellowshanks.) Totanus 244 



