recurvirostrinj:. 
Cladorhynciu  s  G.  R.  Gray* 
BiR  very  long  and  straight,  with  the  culmen  slightly  depressed,  and  the  sides  grooved  and  compressed, 
especially  towards  the  tip,  which  is  rather  acute ;  the  nostrils  basal,  lateral,  and  placed  in  the  lateral 
groove,  with  the  opening  linear  and  closed  by  a  membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill 
the  longest.  Tail  short  and  wedge-shaped.  Tarsi  long,  slender,  compressed,  .and  covered  in  front  with 
reticulated  scales.  Toes  short,  united  together  by  an  indented  web  ;  the  inner  toe  shorter  than  the  outer ; 
the  hind  toe  wanting. 
The  typical  species  of  this  division  is  only  found  in  the  southern  and  western  portions  of  Australia.  Its  habits  and 
manners  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  foregoing  genus. 
C.  pectoralis  (Dubusj,  Mem.  Acad.  Roy.  de  Brux.  1835.  p.  .,  Mag.  de  Zool.  1835,  Ois.  t.45. —  Himantopus  palmatus  Gould,  B.  of  Austr.  pi. 
Himantopus  Ums.f 
Bill  much  longer  than  the  head,  very  slender,  and  straight,  with  the  sides  grooved  to  the  middle,  and 
compressed  towards  the  tip,  which  is  acute;  the  nostrils  basal,  and  placed  in  the  groove,  with  the 
opening  long,  linear,  and  closed  by  a  membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest. 
Tail  short,  and  nearly  even.  Tarsi  very  long,  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  reticulated  scales.  Toes 
moderate,  and  united  at  the  base  by  a  small  membrane,  especially  the  outer  toe  ;  the  hind  toe  wanting  ; 
the  claws  small,  compressed,  and  acute. 
The  species  are  scattered  over  various  portions  of  the  world.  They  are  generally  found  in  small  flocks  of  twenty  or 
thirty  individuals,  frequenting  marshy  places,  especially  salt  marshes  that  abound  in  shallow  pools.  It  is  in  such  places 
that  they  are  usually  seen,  wading  about  in  the  water  up  to  their  breast  while  seeking  for  their  food,  which  consists  of  minute 
shells,  aquatic  insects,  and  their  larva; ;  and  the  length  and  form  of  their  bill  enable  them  to  scoop  for  their  food  from  among 
the  mud.  Their  flight  is  rapid  and  steady,  and  if  alarmed  the  whole  party  collects  together  in  the  air,  flying  with  their 
long  legs  extending  behind  them,  and  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  a  continual  sharp  often  repeated  note  of  click.  On 
first  alighting,  either  on  the  ground  or  in  the  water,  they  usually  drop  their  wings,  stand  with  their  legs  half  bent,  and 
at  the  same  time  trembling,  as  if  their  legs  were  too  weak  to  balance  the  weight  of  their  body.  The  nest  is  slightly 
formed  of  a  small  quantity  of  dry  grass,  sea-weed,  and  other  kinds  of  vegetables  ;  and  is  often  added  to  after  the 
bird  has  commenced  sitting,  until  it  becomes  several  inches  in  thickness.    The  eggs  are  generally  four  in  number. 
1.  H.  candidus  Bonn.  PI.  enl.  878.  —  Charadrius  himantopus  3.  H.  mexicanus  Briss.  —  Himantopus  leucurus  VieilL;  H.  lon- 
Ginel.  ;  Himantopus  rufipes  et  H.  vulgaris  Bechst.  ;  H.  atropterus  gipes  Brehm? 
et  H.  inelanopterus  Meyer  ;  H.  albieollis  VieilL;  H.  asiaticus  Less.  4.  H.  melanurus  Vieill.  Ency.  Meth.  p.  340.,  Azara,  No.  393. — 
Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  280.  Himantopus  brasiliensis  Bvehm  ? 
2.  H.  nigricoliis  Vieill.  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  220. —  Ilccurvirostra  hi-  5.  H.  nova  zcalandice  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1841.  p.  8.,  B.  of 
mantopus  WUs.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  55.  f.  1.,  Audub.  B.  of  Austr.  pi.  I  Austr.  pi.,  Voy.  au  Pole  Sud,  Ois.  t.     .  f . 
328.  '      6.  H.  leucocephalus  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1 837.  p.  26.,  B.  of  Austr.  pi. 
*  It  was  in  1835  that  Chevalier  Dubus  established  this  genus  under  the  name  of  Leptorhynchux,  which,  having  been  previously  used, 
was  changed  in  1840  to  the  above  narr.e.    Xiphidiorhynchus  of  Herr  Reinchenback  (184  ?)  is  coequal. 
f  Brisson  established  this  genus  in  176'0.    Macrotarsus  of  Lace'pede  (1800 — 1801),  and  Hypsibates  of  Nitzsch  (182  ?). 
October,  1847- 
7  Q 
