578 The Water-fowl Family 



hexagonal scales in front and on sides. No hind toe. Anterior toes 

 slender and basal webbing usually small. Plumage of upper parts 

 plain, brown or gray, lower parts always white medially. Of the more 

 than twenty species included in this genus, nine species and sub- 

 species are found in North America, but three of them have little 

 claim to be considered birds of the United States. Though agreeing 

 in many points, these species differ so in others that they have been 

 divided into four or five subgenera. 



Family Aphrizidse. The Surf Birds and Turnstones. This family 

 consists of two genera and four species, most of which range widely 

 over the world, frequenting chiefly rocky shores and beaches. All 

 occur in North America. 



Family Type. Size medium. Agrees with the Charadriidce in the 

 shape of the nostrils, character of nasal groove, the indentation of bill 

 near nostril, and the length of the neck. Bill stout, not longer than 

 tarsus. Nasal groove very distinct. Tarsus short, covered with trans- 

 verse scales in front. Toes separate to base. Hind toe present. 



Subfamily Aphrizinae. The Surf Birds. Only one genus, — Aphrha. 



Generic Type. Bill about as long as head, terminal portion swollen and 

 arched like a plover. Nasal groove extending more than halfway to 

 tip. Tarsus longer than culmen. Tail emarginate. One species in- 

 habiting Pacific Coast of America. 



Subfamily Arenarinas. Only one genus, — Arenaria. 



Generic Type. Bill shorter than head, terminal portion compressed and 

 pointed, straight or slightly recurved. Nasal groove extending not 

 more than halfway to tip. Tarsus equal to culmen. Tail slightly 

 rounded. Three species in genus, of which two are confined to 

 America and the third occurs in the northern part. 



Family Hsematopodidae. The Oyster-catchers. Large, odd-looking 

 birds with brightly colored and strangely shaped bills. Shy and 

 solitary in their habits, they range over the beaches of most of the 

 world. Only one genus consisting of twelve species is contained in 

 this family. 



Family Type. Size large. Bill greatly compressed laterally beyond 

 nostrils, not arched, pointed, longer than tarsus and about twice as 

 long as head. Nostrils in basal fourth. Evident nasal groove not 

 extending to middle. Bill and iris red or yellow. Tarsus heavy, 

 covered with small, hexagonal scales. Toes stout and webbed between 

 outer and middle at base. No hind toe. Four species in North 

 America, one of which is a straggler from Europe. 



Genus Haematopus. The generic type is the same as that of the family. 



