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Genus TEYNGITES. 



Tringa apud Vieillot, Nouv. Diet, xxxiv. p. 465 (1819). 

 Actitis apud Schlegel, Rev. Crit. p. 92 (1844). 

 Tryngoides apud J. E. Gray, Cat. Brit. B. p. 178 (1850). 

 IAmicola apud Lichten stein, Nornencl. Av. p. 92 (1854). 

 Actidurus apud Heermann, Proc. Phil. Acad. vii. p. 179 (1854). 

 Tryngites, Cabanis, Journ. fur Orn. 1856, p. 418. 



This genus is essentially a New-World one, being only represented in the Palsearctic Region by 

 rare stragglers. These birds are usually found in grassy places, both in dry and damp localities, 

 as well as on the sandy plains of the Southern States, where I have frequently met with them. 

 They resemble Bartram's Sandpiper in their habits more than any of the other Sandpipers, 

 and, like that species, are usually found in grassy or sandy inland places, and not on the sea- 

 coast. They are habitually tame and confiding, very quick and active on foot, tripping along 

 very rapidly ; and on the wing they resemble Ring-Plovers more than any of the other Waders. 

 Their call-note is low and weak, and is uttered both when the bird is tripping along and when it 

 rises on the wing. They feed on small insects and worms, which they usually obtain amongst 

 the grass. They nest, like their allies, on the ground, placing their four eggs in a depression in 

 the soil, scantily lined with grass-bents or leaves. The eggs are pale ochreous or olivaceous grey, 

 marbled and blotched with different shades of brown and neutral tint. 



Tryngites rufescens, the type of the genus, has the bill about as long as the head, slender, 

 straight, the nasal groove extending nearly to the tip, which is decurved and obtuse ; nostrils 

 basal, linear, rather large ; wings long, pointed, the first quill longest, the inner webs of the 

 quills peculiarly marbled ; tail moderately long, doubly emarginate ; legs moderately long, 

 slender, the tibia bare for a considerable distance ; tarsus compressed, slender, scutellate ; toes 

 slender, the hind toe small, elevated, the anterior toes scutellate, marginate ; claws small, 

 arched, slender, slightly acute. 



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