AVES. o8l 
robust ; toes long; size mostly rather large; colors usually gay, sometimes 
with metallic lustre. 
About twenty-five species of handsome birds form this sub-family, which 
inhabit all countries, and resemble in general characters the herons and 
storks. The North American species are the wood ibis (Tantalus locu- 
lator); the scarlet ibis (Zbis rubra), which is clothed in beautiful scarlet 
plumage ; the white ibis (I. alba); and the Mexican ibis (J. falcinellus). 
There are, however, several South American species. The crested ibis, 
I. cristatus (pl. 95, fig. 3), is an Asiatic species. | 
The most distinguished species of ali these birds is the Egyptian ibis 
(I. religiosa), which was held sacred by the ancient Egyptians, and is 
found embalmed in immense numbers. It is yet found inhabiting the 
banks of the Nile. The large white ibis (f. alba) is another African 
species. 
Fam. 8. Scotopacio#. Embraces the snipes, godwits, avocets, sand- 
pipers, and other birds, which frequent the shores of both salt and fresh waters. 
They are easily recognised by their small size, long, slender bills, and long 
legs, and are shy and harmless in their dispositions. Several species are 
esteemed as delicate articles of food. 
Sub-fam. 1. Limosine, or Godwits. Bill long, slender, curved ; wings 
long and pointed ; tail short; tarsi long, slender; toes long. Size larger 
than usual in this family; colors plain. 
About twenty-five species of these birds, known by the names of godwits 
and curlews, inhabit the various countries of the world. Those resident 
in the United States are the great marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa) ; ihe 
smaller godwit (L. hudsonica); the long-billed curlew (Numenius longi- 
rostris) ; and the northern curlew (NV. borealis). The rufous godwit, L. 
rufa (pl. 93, fig. 9), and the ecurlew, N. arcuatus (pl. 94, fig. 7), are 
European species. 
Sub-fam. 2. Recurvirostrine, or Avocets. Bill long, slender, compressed, 
sometimes curved upwards; wings long, pointed; tail short; tarsi very 
long. Size various, never large; colors varied. : 
The avocets and stilts, which are the birds constituting this group, are 
distributed throughout the globe. The former have the bill curved upwards 
very decidedly ; the latter but slightly, and are remarkable as being the 
longest legged birds, in proportion to the size of their bodies, of any of the 
waders; hence they have derived their name. The European avocet, 
Recurvirostra avocetia (pl..93, fig. 10); the American avocet (R. ameri- 
cana) ; the European stilt, Himantopus albicollis (pl. 95, fig. 6); and the 
American black necked stilt (HZ. nigricollis), are common species. 
Sub-fam. 3. Tringine, or Sandpipers. Bill long, slender, compressed ; 
wings long, pointed; tail moderate, truncate; tarsi generally long and 
slender, sometimes rather short ; toes long. Size mostly small. 
An assemblage of about fifty little birds which inhabit the sea shores as 
well as the borders of lakes, rivers, and small inland streams of all countries, 
It is on the sea shore, however, that they are most abundant, and may 
constantly be seen running into the advancing waves, or during the recess 
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