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Genus CALIDRIS. 



Tringa apud Brisson, Orn. v. p. 236 (1760). 



Tringa apud Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 251 (1766). 



Characlrius apud Linnaeus, torn. cit. p. 255 (1766). 



Calidris, Cuvier, Lee. d'Anat. Comp. i. tabl. ii. (1800). 



Arenaria apud Bechstein, Gemeinn. Naturg. Vog. Deutschl. 2nd ed. iii. p. 368 (1809). 



Only one species is referred to this genus, viz. our common Sanderling, which is a very widely 

 distributed bird, being found in the Palaearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, Nearctic, and Neotropical 

 Regions, its exact range, so far as it is known, being given in the following article. It is essen- 

 tially a shore-bird, frequenting the sandy or muddy portions of the coast, especially muddy 

 estuaries. It runs with ease and rapidity, and is strong on the wing. It passes the breeding- 

 season in the arctic regions, migrating southward at the approach of winter. It makes its nest 

 on the ground, and deposits four eggs, which resemble miniature Curlew's eggs. 



Calidris arenaria has the bill about as long as the head, rather slender, straight, compressed, 

 the tip rather enlarged and obtuse, the nasal groove very long, extending nearly to the end ; 

 nostrils small, linear, basal ; wings long, pointed, the first quill longest ; tail short, doubly 

 emarginate ; legs rather short, slender, the tibia bare for some distance ; tarsus scutellate ; toes 

 small, the hind toe wanting ; claws small, curved, compressed, obtuse. 



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