FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 235 



many have the habit of continually bobbing the head, as 

 though they were confiding some wonderful news. Nos. 19- 

 24, (5) Curlews. These might be called godwits with long, 

 slender, downwardly curved bills. ^ Their habitat is mainly 

 in the marshes, though some are found on dry plains. Nos. 

 27-29. 



Key to the Species 



* Bill very long and much decurved ; ^ tarsus scutellate only in front, 



reticulate behind. (P.) 



* Bill not strongly decurved ; tarsus scutellate in front and behind. *> ( A. ) 



A. Toes only three, the hind toe wanting 16. Sanderling. 



A. Toes four, the hind toe present. (B.) 

 B. Eyes situated back of the middle of the head; '•' bill twice as long as 

 the tarsus and with the upper mandible thickened at the tip ; toes 

 without distinct webbing. (0.) 

 B. Eyes not back of the middle of the head ; bill in no case twice as 

 long as the tarsus. (C.) 

 C. Front toes not webbed^ (at most with one minute web). (J.) 

 C. Front toes with at least one distinct web.^ (D.) 

 D. Tail more than half as long as the wing and with the under feathers 

 at least one inch shorter than the middle ones ; wing over 6 ; bill, 



1-1 J 24. Bartramian Sandpiper. 



D. Tail about half as long as the wing ; wing, 3|-4J ; bill, tarsus, and 

 middle toe and nail each about 1 long; bill narrow and soraewliat de- 

 curved near tip ; ' breast much spotted 26. Spotted Sandpiper. 



D. Tail less than half as long as the wing. (E.) 



E. Wing, .S-4| long ; bill grooved at tip ' 



14. Semipalmated Sandpiper and 15. Western Sandpiper. 



E. Wing, 6J-7 J long ; bill straight and 1-1 J long, just about one fifth 



the length of the wing 23. Ruff. 



E. Bill over one fifth the length of the wing. (F.) 

 F. Bill slightly broadened near tip ; ^ bill and tarsus about equal and 



1 J-1 1 long ; wing, 5-5J 5. Stilt Sandpiper. 



F. Bill slightly broadened near tip ; bill over 2, and tarsus under 2 long ; 



wing, 5^-6 long 3. Dowitcher, 4, Long-billed Dowitcher. 



F. Bill not broadened near tip. (G.) 



G. Wing, 8|-9|- ; bill, 3J-5J long, and bent upward toward tip ; i 



rump and upper tail coverts regularly barred with brown 



17. Marbled Godwit. 



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