►rder  VII.  GRALL^E. 
Family  III.  Scolopacid^e. 
The  second  Subfamily, 
TOTANINjE,  or  Longshanks, 
ive  the  Bill  long,  slender,  compressed,  and  grooved  on  the  sides,  with  the  culmen  more  or  less  straight, 
irved,  and  acute  at  the  tip  ;  the  nostrils  linear,  and  placed  in  the  lateral  groove,  which  extends  to 
r  beyond  the  middle  of  the  bill ;  the  Wings  long  and  pointed  ;  the  Tail  moderate  and  even,  or  rounded  ; 
le  Tarsi  more  or  less  long,  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  narrow  transverse  scales  ;  the  Toes 
dually  long  and  slender,  the  lateral  ones  unequal,  and  generally  united  at  the  base  to  the  middle  toe, 
ipecially  the  outer  ;  the  hind  toe  long,  slender,  and  hardly  touching  the  ground. 
Totanus  Bechst.* 
Bill  more  or  less  long  and  strong,  with  the  culmen  straight,  or  slightly  curved,  and  the  sides 
nnpressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  slightly  curved  and  acute ;  the  gonys  long,  and  slightly  curved 
pwards  ;  the  nostrils  linear,  and  placed  in  a  membranous  groove,  which  does  not  extend  beyond  half 
le  length  of  the  bill.  Wings  reaching  beyond  the  end  of  the  tail  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the 
ngest.  Tail  moderate,  and  nearly  even.  Tarsi  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  the  middle  toe,  more  or  less 
ender,  and  covered  in  front  with  numerous  very  narrow  scales.  Toes  long,  slender,  the  anterior  toes . 
lited  by  a  membrane,  especially  the  outer  ;  the  hind  toe  slender,  elevated,  and  hardly  touching  the 
round. 
These  migratory  birds  are  scattered  in  both  hemispheres,  especially  in  the  temperate  and  northern  portions.  They 
e  usually  seen  in  pairs,  or  in  small  flocks,  on  the  banks  of  the  lakes  and  rivers,  and  sometimes  on  the  shores  of  the 
:ean ;  but  at  certain  seasons  they  resort  to  the  moist  woods  and  marshes,  for  the  purpose  of  rearing  their  young.  Their 
od  is  sought  for  on  the  ground,  or  among  the  gravel  and  stones,  on  the  shores  of  lakes  and  rivers.  It  consists  of 
sects,  worms,  and  small  molluscous  animals  and  fish.  The  nest  is  usually  formed  in  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  in  a  slight 
spression  in  the  earth,  which  is  lined  with  dry  grass  and  other  vegetable  remains.  The  female  usually  deposits  four 
;gs,  and,  if  disturbed  while  incubating  them,  generally  flies  round  the  intruder,  uttering  at  the  same  time  a  series  of 
irill  notes. 
*  Established  by  Bechstein  in  1803.  Ilyornls  of  Dr.  Kaup  (1829)  is  synonymous.  It  embraces  Glottis  of  M.  Nilson  (181  ?).  with 
hich  Limiculu  of  Leach  (181(5)  is  synonymous,  Gambetta,  Erythroscelus,  Rhyacophilus,  and  Helodromus  of  Dr.  Kaup  (1829),  and  also 
ymphemia  of  Rafinesque  (1819)>  with  which  Catoptrophorus  of  the  Prince  of  Canino  (1820)  and  Hodites  of  Dr.  Kaup  (1829)  are 
nonymous. 
