A54 WILSON’S PHALAROPE. 
some propriety be united subgenerically with the P. hyper- 
boreus, but as by its feet it differs considerably from both the 
other phalaropes, which agree in this particular, we have 
instituted for it a peculiar subgenus under the name of Holo- 
podius, which we regard as in all respects more essentially 
different from the old groups than they are from each other. 
In what respect Mr Sabine found this species, which he so 
well established, intermediate between the two, we are at a 
loss to imagine. 
In fact, in Holopodius, so opposite to Cuvier’s Lobipes both 
in name and character, the toes have a narrow border formed 
by a subentire membrane; the outer connected to the first 
joint only; the inner almost cleft, and the hind toe long and’ 
resting on the ground: the two other groups having the toes 
broadly bordered with a deeply scalloped membrane, and 
semipalmated: the hind toe is very short, the nail only 
touching the ground. The Lobipes of Cuvier differs from 
the Crymophilus of Vieillot only in the shape of the bill, 
stout, flattened, and carinated in the latter, slender and 
cylindrical in the former, as well as in ours. 
Edwards first brought the phalaropes into notice, and it 
was from his works that Linnzeus and Brisson registered 
these singular birds in their general works: the former, 
however, thrust them into that storehouse of species, his 
Tringa, whilst the latter established for them the genus 
Phalaropus, than which no group is more natural, and, in our 
opinion, equivalent to a family. 
Latham and all modern authors have retained very pro- 
perly this genus in their systems. But if they are so far 
unanimous, they are greatly at variance when they come to 
assign it a place, some referring to one order or family, and 
some to another. ‘That these birds belong to the Gralle or 
waders, though still more aquatic in their habits even than 
some of the webfooted birds, does not, in my opinion, admit 
of doubt. 
Before the recent discovery of the species now under con- 
