244 AVES : LIMICOLE, — XXXVIII. 
384. RECURVIROSTRA Linnaeus. (Lat. recurvus, bent 
upward; rostrum, beak.) 
753. R. americana Gmelin. Avocet. Brive Srocxrne. 
White, with cinnamon brown on head and neck, the wings mostly 
black; legs blue. L.18. W. 8}. T. 34. B. 34. Ts. 3%. N. Am. 
385. HIMANTOPUS Brisson. (iuavrorous, strap-leg.) 
754. H. mexicanus (Miiller). Stitt. Lone SHanxs. Law- 
yER. Glossy black above, white below; tail ashy; Q slaty; legs 
pink, L.15. W.9. 7.3. Ts. 4. B. 2}. N. Am. 
Famity CXLV. SCOLOPACIDA. (Tue Snrrz.) 
Bill elongated, usually longer than the head; if short, not plover- 
like, being soft-skinned throughout (hard when dry); nasal grooves 
in the form of narrow channels ranging from half to nearly the 
whole length of the bill; sides of lower mandible usually also 
grooved ; nostrils narrow exposed slits; head feathered. Wings 
usually thin and pointed; tail short and soft; tibia rarely entirely 
feathered. Tarsus never entirely reticulate and usually scutellate 
in front and behind; hind toe present (except in Calidris) ; front 
toes cleft or slightly webbed; size medium or small. Sexes alike 
or female slightly larger; seasonal changes in plumage often 
strongly marked. Eggs usually four, placed with the small ends 
together in a slight nest or depression in the ground; notes vari- 
ous; mostly migratory or gregarious. Genera about 20; species 
100; chiefly of northern regions, but not wanting in most parts of 
the world. (cxoAdmaé, snipe.) 
a. Tarsus scutellate behind as well as in front; bill not strongly decurved. 
6. Eyes far back, directly above the ears; bill long; tip of upper mandible 
thickened; plumage unchanging. (Scolopacine.) 
ec. Tibia entirely feathered; 3 outer primaries attenuate; toes not webbed. 
PHILOHELA, 386, 
cc. Tibia naked below; no attenuate primaries... . . GALLINAGO, 387. 
bb. Eyes not far back, considerably before the ears; tip of upper mandible 
thin; summer and winter plumage different. (Tringine.) 
d. Toes not webbed at all (or with a single minute web). 
e. Hind toe wanting. . . . . 6 « + + « « Caumris, 392. 
ee. Hind toe present. 
J. Bill not shorter than middle toe with claw; (inner webs of quills 
not mottled). . . . » » TRINGA, 890. 
Jf. Bill shorter than middle doe With glen (inner webs ot quills 
mottled). . . . « © + + « « « « TRYNGITES, 397. 
dd. Toes more or less webbed at base. 
g- Tail graduated, more than half wing. . . BARTRAMIA, 396. 
gg- Tail not more than half wing, little graduated. 
h. Tail longer than bill (from frontal feathers); gape reaching 
beyond base of culmen. 
