OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 279 



Genus CALIDRIS, or Sanderlings. 



Type, CALIDEIS AEENAEIA. 



Calidris, of Illiger (1811). — The birds comprising the present genus are 

 characterised by having the metatarsus and culmen about equal in length, com- 

 bined with the absence of a hallux or hind toe. The bill is short and stout, the 

 culmen about equal to the metatarsus in length. The wings are long and pointed. 

 The nostrils are lateral, and situated in a groove. The tibia, just above the 

 metatarsal joint, is devoid of feathers. 



This genus is composed of a single species only, which has a range base in 

 the Primoggean realm, migrating north to breed, apparently as far as land extends 

 in the Northern hemisphere (Arctogsean realm), and south to unknown limits, 

 possibly for a similar purpose, although its breeding grounds in the Southern 

 hemisphere (Notogsean realm) are still undiscovered. It is a common visitor to 

 the British Islands on migration, and a few remain to winter within our limits. 



The habits, food, migrations, nidification, notes, &c., of this single species are 

 described in the following chapter. 



