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Genus TRINGA. 



Tringa, Brisson, Orn. v. p. 177 (1760). 



Scolopax apud Brisson, torn. cit. p. 309 (1760). 



Tringa, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 247 (1766). 



Numenius apud Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. p. 712 (1790). 



Erolia apud Vieillot, Analyse, p. 55 (1816). 



Pelidna apud Cuvier, Regne Anim. i. p. 490 (1817). 



Calidris apud Cuvier, torn. cit. p. 489 (1817). 



Falcinellus apud Cuvier, torn. cit. p. 486 (1817). 



Totanus apud Stephens in Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii. p. 146 (1824). 



Leimonites apud Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 37 (1829). 



Ancylocheilus apud Kaup, op. cit. p. 50 (1829). 



Actodromas apud Kaup, op. cit. p. 55 (1829). 



Canutus apud C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 654 (1831). 



Schceniclus apud Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. Grallse, p. 106 (1844). 



Arguatella apud Baird, B. of N. Am. p. 717 (1858). 



Heteropygia apud Coues, Proc. Phil. Acad. 1861, p. 199. 



Limnocinclus apud Gould, Handb. B. of Australia, ii. p. 254 (1865). 



This genus is represented in the Palsearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, Australian, Nearctic, and Neo- 

 tropical Regions, nine species being found in the Western Palsearctic Region. They frequent 

 muddy and damp localities, both inland and on the sea-coast, some species being especially 

 partial to the latter. They walk and run with ease, some being very nimble on foot ; and one 

 may often see them following the receding waves picking up food, and running back to avoid 

 the water as it returns. Almost all the species wade in search of food, and are able, in case of 

 need, to swim. They fly with rapidity, and are almost all strong on the wing, frequently 

 traversing considerable distances. They are to a considerable extent gregarious, and associate in 

 large flocks both with other species and with other individuals of their own species. Their 

 note, usually uttered when the bird is flying, is a clear whistle. They are dispersed over 

 the more boreal regions of the globe during the breeding-season, and migrate south at the 

 approach of winter. Their nests are mere depressions in the ground scantily lined with grass- 

 bents ; and their eggs, four in number, are pyriform in shape, and greenish grey, greenish buff, 

 or dull dark buff in colour, blotched and spotted with different shades of brown. These birds 

 feed on insects, worms, minute shell-fish, &c, and collect their food either on the shores of lakes 

 and rivers or on the sea-coast ; or else they obtain it in marshy places, frequently by probing the 

 soft soil. 



Tringa canutus, the type of the genus, has the bill rather longer than the head, straight, 

 rather higher than broad at the base, rather soft and flexible ; the nasal groove extending nearly 

 to the tip, which is slightly enlarged and obtuse ; nostrils basal, linear, rather small ; wings long 

 pointed, the first quill longest; tail short, nearly even or slightly emarginate; legs moderately 

 long, slender, the tibia bare on the lower part ; tarsus scutellate ; toes moderate, the hind toe 

 small ; claws rather small, moderately slender, curved, obtuse. 



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