SCOLOPACIN.E. 
The  single  species  of  this  genus  is  found  scattered  through  the  Old  World,  frequenting  the  extensive  forests,  among 
the  underwood  of  which  they  lie  concealed  during  the  day,  but  early  in  the  morning,  and  as  the  twilight  approaches  they 
seek  the  open  places  and  meadows  to  search  for  their  food,  which  principally  consists  of  worms,  that  are  obtained  by 
scratching  up  the  dead  leaves  and  grasses.  It  is  occasionally  found  on  the  margins  of  small  streams.  The  nest  is  a 
slight  hollow  in  a  thicket,  or  at  the  root  of  a  tree,  which  is  lined  with  a  few  dead  leaves  and  stems  of  dried  grass,  on 
which  are  deposited  four  eggs. 
S.  rusticola  Linn.  PI.  enl.  885.,  Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  —  Scolopax  indicus  Hodyx.  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Beng.  1837.  p.  490. 
Philohela.* 
Bill  long,  straight,  with  the  sides  compressed  and  broadly  grooved  towards  the  tip,  which  is  rather 
depressed  and  curved  over  that  of  the  lower  mandible  ;  the  nostrils  basal,  placed  in  the  groove,  with 
the  opening  oblong  and  exposed.  Wings  moderate,  with  the  first  three  quills  graduated,  narrowed,  and 
curved,  and  the  fourth  and  fifth  equal  and  longest.  Tail  moderate  and  rounded.  Tarsi  shorter  than 
the  middle  toe,  robust,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  narrow  scales.  Toes  moderate,  with 
the  inner  shorter  than  the  outer ;  the  hind  toe  long,  slender,  with  the  claw  very  small. 
The  species  that  forms  this  division  is  only  found  in  North  America ;  it  frequents  the  woods  and  thickets  during  the 
day,  but  early  in  the  morning  and  on  the  approach  of  evening  seeks  the  open  swampy  places  and  the  marshy  shores  of 
the  large  rivers  where  it  searches  for  its  food  which  consists  of  the  larva;  of  insects,  and  worms ;  these  it  usually  finds 
by  turning  over  the  leaves  that  lie  on  the  ground  with  its  bill,  but  it  also  occasionally  probes  the  earth  in  search  of 
them.  When  flushed  in  the  woods,  it  rises  to  the  height  of  the  bushes  or  underwood,  and  almost  instantly  drops  behind 
them  again  at  a  short  distance,  generally  running  off  for  several  yards  as  soon  as  it  reaches  the  ground.  Wilson  further 
tells  us  that  sometimes  it  rises  by  a  kind  of  spiral  course  to  a  considerable  height  in  the  air,  uttering  at  times  a  sudden 
quack,  till,  having  gained  its  utmost  height,  it  hovers  around  in  a  wild  irregular  manner,  making  a  sort  of  murmuring 
sound,  and  then  descends  with  rapidity  as  it  rose.  The  usual  note  of  this  bird  seems  to  be  uttered  with  great  difficulty, 
throwing  its  head  towards  the  earth,  and  frequently  jetting  up  its  tail.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  is 
composed  of  a  few  dead  leaves  and  stalks  of  grass  laid  loosely  together.    The  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  number. 
R.  minor  (Gmel.)  VieilL  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  24.2.,  Wils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  48.  f.  2.,  Audub.  B.  of  Amer.  pi.  248. 
Rhynch.ea  Cuv.-f 
Bill  moderate,  rather  curved,  compressed,  and  grooved  on  the  sides  to  the  tip,  which  is  much  curved 
and  slightly  hooked  over  that  of  the  lower  mandible ;  the  nostrils  basal,  placed  in  the  lateral  groove, 
with  the  opening  linear  and  exposed.     Wings  moderate,  with  the  first  three  qnills  equal  and  longest ; 
*  Mr.  Nuttal  in  1834  established  this  division  under  the  name  of  Microptera,  which  having  been  previously  employed,  I  changed  it  to 
the  above  name  in  1841. 
t  Vieillot  in  1  8 1 6  established  this  division  under  the  name  of  Rostraiula,  but  in  1825  he  adopted  that  proposed  by  C'uvier  (about  1817) 
which  is  given  above. 
