2 BULLETIN 50, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
processes usually present (absent in (Edicnemi, Cursori, Chionides, 
and Aloe); supraorbital grooves usually present (absent in some 
Limicole); lachrymals firmly united with prefrontals; occipital 
fontanelles usually present (absent in Jacanide, Dromadide, and in 
adults of Lari); coracoids with a subclavicular process; coraco- 
humeral groove distinct; furcula U-shaped, with a hypocleideum; 
spine sterni short, separate; cervical vertebre, 15-16; dorsal ver- 
tebre, 5-8; no ankylosed dorsal vertebre; heemapophyses of cervical 
and thoracic vertebre opisthocelous, only 1-2 vertebrae with two 
fairly closely approximated hemapophyses for reception of the 
carotid arteries; hallux (if present) connected with the flexor longus 
hallucis, never with the flexor perforans digitorum; anterior toes 
completely cleft to completely webbed; hypotarsus complex (with 
canals in Limicole, with 2 ‘grooves in Lari) or simple (Alee); flexors 
of Type I; thigh-muscle formula variable; biceps slip to patagium 
usually present (absent only in Rynchopide); caeca usually large 
(rudimentary in Alce and some Limicole); carotid arteries, 2; 
rhamphotheca usually simple (complex in Chionidide, Stercorariide, 
and some Alex); crop absent (except in Thinocorythes); intestinal 
convolutions of Type I (peri-orthoccelous with mesogyrous tendency); 
syrinx tracheo-bronchial, with 1 pair of muscles; oil-gland tufted; 
cervical pterylosis with lateral apteria; dorsal pteryla well defined 
on neck, forked on upper back; aftershaft present; primaries, 11 
(1 minute and concealed); secondaries, 11, aquincubital; rectrices, 
10-28; downs on adults present; young ptilopedic, nidifugous 
(Limicole) or pseudo-nidifugous (Lari and Alc). 
KEY TO THE SUBORDERS OF CHARADRIIFORMES, 
a. Heemapophyses of dorsal vertebre less developed; coracoid with a subclavicular 
process, the ectepicondylar process well-developed (except in some Lari); ster- 
num relatively short and broad, the metasternum not rounded and not projecting 
beyond the postero-lateral processes; clavicle connected with both praecoracoid 
and acrocoracoid; pelvis not laterally compressed; first digit of manus present; 
thigh-muscle formula with Y, usually with B, the ambiens absent only in Ryn- 
chopide; biceps slip not distinctive; tensores patagii not distinctive; intestinal 
convolutions of fewer loops (less than 6); dorsal pteryla interrupted between 
anterior and posterior parts; caeca present, usually large (except in Jacanide?); 
wings long, the flight buoyant and prolonged; legs inserted near middle of body. 
(Laro-Limicolz.) 
b. Hypotarsus complex (with canals); coracoids separated (except in (dicnemide 
and Jacanide); supraorbital glands absent or small; basipterygoid processes 
usually -present (absent in Dromadide, @dicnemide, Glareolide, Chionidide 
and Thinocorythide); occipital foramina present (except in Dromadide, 
CGdicnemide, Glareclide, Thinocorythide, J: acanide, and Chionidide); 
furcula without hypocleideum; adult downs on pteryle only; bill and tarsus 
relatively long and slender; anterior toes usually cleft to base or only slightly 
webbed (fully webbed only in Recurvirostride, part); young typically nidi- 
fugous; habits limicoline or pratincoline, or if aquatic (Phalaropodidee) toes 
not webbed but scalloped or lobed ............2..0e2--0ece Limicole (p. 3). 
