378 ZOOLOGY. 
Orper VII. Gratiaz, orn Waners. 
With this order we enter upon the birds which habitually reside in the 
neighborhood of water, and are usually denominated water birds, in contra- 
distinction to those which live habitually on the dry land. 
This rather extensive order is composed of birds recognised immediately 
by their long legs and long necks, and by their constantly being observed 
in search of fishes and other aquatic animals, which they mostly pursue by 
wading into shallow waters. A few species, however, content themselves 
with such animals as are to be found on the shores or-on dry land. 
The herons, storks, snipes, woodcooks, curlews, and other birds of such 
appearance and habits, belong here. 
Fam. 1. Cuarapriap#. Comprises all the plovers, turnstones, oyster- 
catchers, &c. They are generally small and timid birds, living on the 
banks of inland streams, in the neighborhood of ponds or lakes, or the 
shores of the ocean. 
Sub-fam. 1. Qidicnemine, or Runners. Bill rather long, somewhat 
curved to the tip ; wings long, pointed ; tarsi long ; toes three only, directed 
forwards, and rather small; tail short. Size rather small; color plain. 
A small group of birds, which reside in the warmer regions of both conti-. 
nents. One species, the thick-leg (Gidicnemus crepitans), visits the south of 
Europe, frequenting open fields, and feeding in the evening or at night. 
't is said to remain squatted behind a stone, or any other object admitting 
of concealment, during the day. Other birds of this sub-family are found in 
the plains and deserts of Africa and Asia, such as the Cursorius senegalensis, 
and others. 
Sub-fam. 2. Glareoline, or Pratincoles. Bill short, broad at base, com- 
pressed; wings very long; tarsi and feet moderate ; tail short. Size small. 
About seven species of very peculiar birds compose this sub-family. 
They inhabit the temperate and warmer parts of the Old World, subsisting 
on flies and other insects, which they take on the wing, like swallows, and 
on the ground. The European pratincole, Glareola torquata ( pl. 95, fig. 5), 
is the only well described species. 
Sub-fam. 3. Charadriane, or Plovers. Bill long, slender, depressed ; 
wings long, pointed; tail moderate, frequently broad; tarsi long, slender ; 
feet rather small. Size various, generally small. 
Rather an extensive assemblage of about one hundred species of birds, 
embracing all the lapwings and plovers which inhabit the whole surface of 
the globe. The European lapwing, Vanellus cristatus (pl. 93, jig. 2), is 
spread over the entire continent, and is remarkable for its graceful form 
and rapid flight, which is at times performed with numerous singular evolu- 
tions in the air, and accompanied by a series of oft-repeated notes. The 
golden plover of the United States (Charadius pluvialis) belongs here, as does 
also the kill-deer plover (C. vociferus), Wilson’s plover (C. wilsonius), and 
some others. The plover of Europe, C. auratus (pl. 98, fig. 1), is a common 
and handsome species. . 
582 
