Genus (EDICNEMUS or STONE CURLEWS* 



Type CEDICNEMUS CREPITANS. 



(Edicnenms of Temminck (1815). — ^The birds comprising 

 the present genus are characterised by having the tarsus reticu- 

 lated anteriorly as well as posteriorly, and by having the outer 

 rectrices an inch or more shorter than the central ones. The 

 black tips to all but the central rectrices, and the white pattern 

 on the webs of the first three primaries, are also characteristic of 

 this group. The wings are moderately long, and the tail of 

 twelve feathers is much graduated. The bill is strong and stout, 

 the under mandible with an acute angle at the chin or gonys ; 

 nostrils in the middle of the beak, and not placed in a groove. 

 Three toes only, directed forwards, and webbed at the base. 



This genus is composed of about twelve species and races, 

 which are distributed over various parts of temperate and Southern 

 Europe, Southern Australia, and temperate and tropical Asia, and 

 Africa, and tropical America. One species is a summer visitor to 

 the British Islands. 



The Stone Curlews are dwellers in similar country to that 

 frequented by the Bustards, which birds they resemble in their 

 habits. They are more or less nocturnal. Their flight is rapid 

 and well sustained. Their notes are loud and harsh. They 

 subsist chiefly on worms, frogs, small animals, and insects. They 

 make no nest, laying their eggs (two or three in number, and 

 spotted) on the bare ground. They are monogamous. 



* Future research may result in the removal of the Stone Curlews from the 

 present family, and placing them with the Bustards : their nostrils, as in that 

 group, are holorhinal. 



