GKALL.K. 



247 



bear a near resemblance to those of the Avocets, with which this ^enus is even linked by an intcrmed'ate species, 

 which conjoins the webbed toes of tiie latter witli the beak of the Stilts (the //. paluuUus, Gnild, a native of 

 Australia). There are three or four normal species, and both this and the next genus are almost generally dif- 

 fused, frequenting muddy estuaries in winter, and salt-marslies during the season of propagation]. 



We can scarcely place otherwise than here 



The Avocets (Recurvtrosfra, Liu.), — 

 Allbougli their feet, which are weljbed nearly to the ends of their toes, almost entitle them to rank 

 among the Swimraing-hirds ; hut their lengthened tarsi ami half-naked til)i;e, their long, slender, 

 pointed, smooth, and elastic hill, and the mode of life which results from their conformation, concur 

 to approximate them to the Snipes. What particularly characterizes them, and distinguishes them 

 even from all other birds [if two remarkable species of Hnmming-hird be excepted, the Trochilus 

 rceurmroslra and Tr. avoccfta], is the strong upward cui-vature of their beak, [the mandibles of which 

 have often been compared to two thin slips of whalebone]. Their legs ai'e reticidated, and thumb too 

 short to reach the ground. 



Tliat of Europe {R. ot-ua^tta, Lin.) is white, with a black calotte and three bands of the same upon the wings, 

 and leaden-coloured legs. It is a handsome bird, of attenuated form, which frequents the sea-shore in winter, 

 [where it feeds by scooping (as it is termed), with its singular bill, drawing this through the mud or sand from 

 right to left as it advances its left leg foremost, and vice versd, seizing whatever living prey is thus met with. Its 

 mauners in the breeding season resemble those of theGambets, rising on wing and emitting its ci'y at the approach 

 of any intruder ; it collects, however, a greater quantity of nest than is usual among the wading-birds, the majo- 

 rity of which pertaining to the present group merely lay in some slight hollow. There are three or four otluT 

 species]. 



The family of 



]\Iacrodactyli 



Arc furnished with very long toes, .tdapted for traversing .aquatic hcrhage, or even for swim- 

 ming, in those numerous species wliich have them bordered, [and not these only]. There are 

 no membranes, however, connecting the bases of their toes, not even the two outer ones. 

 The beak, more or less laterally compressed, is lengthened or shortened according to the 

 genus, without ever attaining the degree of feebleness and attenuation which is characteristic 

 of the preceding family. The body of these birds is also singularly compressed, a conforma- 

 tion resulting from the nari'owncss of the ster- 

 num (fig. 122) ; their wings are short or mode- 

 rate, and their flight feeble. [The females are 

 mostly larger, and in sonic instances excel the 

 males in brightness of colouring; and they pro- 

 duce numerous speckled eggs, haviirg a reddish 

 clay ground-colour, the young running soon 

 after they are hatched, being then covered with 

 a rigid, black, hair -like down : their cry is gene- 

 rally' abrupt and croaking]. 



They have been divided into two triljes, ac- 

 cording to the presence or absence of any arma- 

 ture on the wings; but this character is subject 

 to exception. 



The Jacanas {Parra, Lin.) — 

 Are conspicuously distinguished from all otlier Stilt- 

 birds l)y tlie extraordinary length of their four tO's, 

 which are separated to the base, aud the claws of which, more particularly that of the hack-toe, are 

 extremely long and sharp-pointed. The bill resembles that of the Lapwings by its medium length and 

 slight bulge towards the tip, and the wing is armed with a spur. They are noisy and quarrelsome 

 birds, which reside in the marshes of hot climates, where they walk with facility on the lloating leaves 

 of aquatic plants, bv means of their long toes, [They are essentially modified, however, upon the type 



Fiff. 12i:.— Stcniuni of Corn Cr^ike or Laotl Riiil. 



