OF ORNITHOLOGY 99 



the nostrils, where the culmen is more or less indented. Na- 

 sal groove closed obtusely and abruptly, or shallowing out 

 broadly to the end. Hind toe generally wanting ; neck short 

 and thick. 



CharadridvE. — Bill rather cylindrical, as long as the 

 head, or shorter ; the culmen much indented opposite 

 the nostrils, the vaulted apex more or less swollen and 

 rising, quite distinct from the membranous portion. 

 Legs elevated ; hind toe rarely present, and then rudi- 

 mentary ; the outer and middle toes more or less unit- 

 ed by membrane. 

 H^matopodi1)^e. — Bill as long as the head, or twice 

 as long, compressed ; culmen but little indented, and 

 the bill not vaulted beyond the nostrils, which are 

 quite basal. 

 B. — Nostrils narrow and fissured, not reaching beyond the ba- 

 sal fourth of the commissure. The bill attenuated and linear 

 beyond the nostrils, not compressed nor indented around them. 

 The nasal groove running out into a narrow, acute channel to 

 or beyond the middle of the jaw, just above the edge of the 

 bill ; the forehead narrowed and depressed to the bill. 



Recurvirostrid^e. — Legs covered with hexagonal 

 plates, becoming smaller behind. Anterior toes all 

 connected more or less by membrane. Bill much 

 lengthened and attenuated ; the groove along the side 

 of the upper mandible not extending beyond the mid- 

 dle. Gums denticulated only at the base. 

 Phalaropodid^i. — Feathers of breast compact, duck- 

 like. Legs with transverse scutellae before and behind. 

 Toes to the tips with a lateral margin, more or less in- 

 dented at the joints, the hinder with a feeble lobe. 

 Bill equal to or longer than the head, the lateral groove 

 extending nearly to the tip. 

 Scolopacid.e. — Legs with transverse scutellse before 

 and behind, as in the last family, (except in Numeniece.) 

 Toes not margined broadly to the tips, with or without 



