TRINGIN^E 
(  Ialidris  ///.* 
Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  straight,  slender,  the  sides  at  the  base  compressed,  and  the  tip  slightly  dilated 
and  smooth  ;  the  nostrils  basal,  lateral,  longitudinal,  and  placed  in  a  nasal  groove.  Wings  moderate 
and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail  moderate  and  even,  with  the  middle  feathers  rather 
longer  than  the  lateral  ones.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  strong,  and  covered  in  front  with 
transverse  scales.  Toes  rather  short,  slender,  slightly  united  at  their  base  by  a  small  membrane,  and 
the  sides  margined  ;  the  hind  toe  wanting  ;  the  claws  short  and  curved. 
This  bird  during  its  periodical  migrations  is  widely  distributed,  from  the  arctic  circle  to  the  southern  latitudes,  on  the 
change  of  seasons.  It  generally  frequents  the  sandy  shores,  where  it  seeks  for  small  insects,  larvae,  and  worms.  Its 
flight  is  powerful  and  quick,  and  it  also  shows  great  speed  when  running  on  the  ground. 
C.  arenaria  (Linn.)  Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  835. —  Charadrius 
calidris  Linn.  ;  (,'.  rubidus  Gmel.  ;  Arenaria  grisea  Bee/tut.  ;  A. 
vulgaris  Leitt ;  A.  calidris  Meyer  ;  Tringa  tridactyla  Pall.  ;  Calidris 
tringoiides  Vieill.  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  234.,  Wils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  59-  f.  4. 
pL  63.  f.  3.,  Audub.  B.  of  Amer.  pi.  230. 
*  Established  by  Cuvier  between  17!)f)  and  1800.    Arenaria  of  Meyer  (1810)  is  synonymous. 
August,  1845. 
