PHALAROPUS. PHALAROPE. 
Generic CharYtcter. 
Rostrum breve, rectum, la- 
tum, basidepressum, versus 
apicem paulo inclinatum : 
mandibulae canaliculatae ; 
superiore apice obtusa, in- 
feriore acuta. 
Nares basales, laterales, 
ovales, prominentes, mem- 
bran^ circumdata?. 
Pedes tetradactyli, medio- 
cres, graciles ; dig-iti an- 
teriores basi membrana 
comiexi, unde ad apicem 
membranis pinnatis in- 
structi ; poUex brevis, 
laevis, apice solo insistens. 
Beak short, straight, broad, 
its base depressed, towards 
the tip somewhat inclined : 
the mandibles grooved ; 
the upper one obtuse at its 
tip, the lower pointed. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, 
prominent, and surrounded 
by a membrane. 
Legs four-toed, medial, slen- 
der, compressed ; the an- 
terior toes connected by 
a membrane at the base, 
and furnished with pin- 
nated membranes from 
them ; the hinder toe short, 
smooth, and resting on its 
tip only. 
PHALAROPUS. Briss., Lath., Cuv., Temm., &c. 
TRINGA. Linne., Grael. 
The Phalaropes have a beak in some respects 
resembling that of the Knots, but although more 
depressed than in those birds, it has the same propor- 
