172 
RECURVIROSTRA. AVOSET. 
Gefieric Characte7\ 
Rostrum longissimum, gra- 
cile, debile, depressum, 
valde recurvatum, apice 
flexili acuto; mandibular 
supra infraque sulcatae. 
Nares longae, lineares. 
Pedes graciles, longae, tetra- 
dactyli ; d'lgiti antici mem- 
brana fere ad apicem con- 
nexi ; pollex brevis, a ter- 
ra elevatus. 
Beak very long, slender,weak, 
depressed, much recurved 
its tip flexible and acute ; 
the mandibles grooved 
above and beneath. 
Nostrils long, linear. 
Legs slender, long, four- 
toed the anterior toes 
connected nearly to the tip 
by a membrane; the hin- 
der toe short, elevated from 
the ground. 
RECURVIROSTRA Auctoruni. 
HE birds of this singular genus have the feet pal- 
mated nearly to the tips of the toes, in which respect 
they approach very close to the Natatores, or Swim- 
ming Birds, but the length of the leg renders them 
incapable of using them for that purpose : they are still 
closer allied, however, to the Guall^, with which 
order they agree in having their tarsi elongated, 
