Order  VII.  GRALLiE. 
Family  I.  Ciiaradrid^. 
The  sixth  Subfamily, 
CINCLINiE,  or  Turnstones, 
have  the  Bill  rather  short  and  straight,  with  the  cuhnen  straight  and  sometimes  vaulted  at  the 
apical  portion,  the  sides  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  obtuse  or  acute ;  the  Nostrils  placed  in  a  mem- 
branous groove,  with  the  opening  linear  and  longitudinal ;  the  Wings  lengthened,  with  the  first  quill  the 
longest ;  the  Tail  rather  short ;  the  Tarsi  short,  robust,  and  covered  with  small  scales  ;  the  Toes  long, 
the  lateral  ones  unequal,  and  free  at  their  bases,  the  hind  toe  rather  long,  slender,  and  elevated. 
Aphriza  Audub.* 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  with  the  culmen  elevated  at  the  base,  and  sloping  towards  the  tip,  which  is 
vaulted  and  obtuse ;  the  sides  compressed  ;  the  gonys  moderate  and  curved  upwards  ;  the  nostrils  lateral, 
and  placed  in  a  membranous  nasal  groove  that  extends  two  thirds  the  length  of  the  bill,  with  the 
opening  linear  and  longitudinal.  Wings  very  long,  pointed,  and  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail 
moderate  and  even.  Tarsi  the  length  of  the  middle  toe,  robust,  and  covered  with  small  irregular  scales. 
Toes  long,  with  the  outer  toe  rather  longer  than  the  inner,  both,  however,  being  free  at  their  bases, 
the  sides  of  the  anterior  toes  margined,  the  hind  toe  elevated,  slender,  and  partly  resting  on  the  ground. 
The  type  of  this  genus  is  found  on  the  coast  of  the  western  side  of  both  North  and  South  America,  migrating  from 
the  northern  parts  to  the  more  temperate  portions  on  the  approach  of  the  winter,  and  returning  again  to  the  old  haunts 
when  the  summer  re-appears.  It  usually  sits  on  the  edge  of  the  steep  rocks,  and  while  seeking  its  food,  which  consists 
of  small  shells,  among  the  retreating  waves,  it  allows  the  heavy  surf  frequently  to  dash  over  it.  If  disturbed,  it  flies 
with  a  quick  jerking  motion  of  its  wings,  and  alights  again  at  a  short  distance  from  the  place  whence  it  was  started. 
A.  virgata  (Lath.)  Ellis,  Icon.  ined.  66. —  Tringa  borealis  Lath.  Ellis,  Icon.  ined.  62. ;  Aphriza  Townsendii  Audub.  B.  of  Amer. 
pi.  428. 
Cinclus  Moehr.-\ 
Bill  rather  shorter  than  the  head,  straight,  and  slightly  depressed  at  the  base,  with  the  culmen  straight, 
and  the  sides  much  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  truncated ;  the  lateral  margins  of  both  mandibles 
curved  upwards  at  the  tip ;  the  gonys  moderate  and  ascending  ;  the  nostrils  lateral,  and  placed  in  a 
*  Mr.  Audubon  established  this  genus  in  1839  (Syn.  of  Amer.  Birds,  p.  225.). 
f  Established  by  Moehring  in  1752  (Genera  Avium).  Strepsilas  of  Illiger  (181 1),  Morinella  of  Meyer  (1810),  and  Arenaria  of 
Brisson  (17C0)  are  synonymous. 
