618 
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOL^. 
d. The Tattlers {Totanus, etc.), with which it is ranged, beyond. In this, the largest and 
most varied group, the bill has comparatively little of the sensitiveness of that of all the fore- 
going, and the gape is longer, extending obviously beyond the base of the culmen, and some- 
times to nearly below the eyes. It varies much in length and shape, but it is usually longer 
than the head, and very slender, not often grooved to the tip, and is either straight, or bent 
slightly upward. The body and its members are commonly more elongate than in the foregoing, 
the toes have a basal web or two, and the hinder is always present. The tail is usually barred. 
These are noisy, restless birds of the marshes and sand-flats and mud-bars of estuaries, and 
apparently do not probe for food to any extent ; they gain their name from their harsh voice. 
The Yellowshanks is a typical example of the group ; most of the species cluster close about 
this type, and might go in the single genus Totanus. The only extra-limital forms are 
^chmorhynchus parvirostris and Prosohonia leucoptera, of the Pacific Islands ; curious species 
apparently near Tryngites. There are about 18 species in all, universally distributed. Finally, 
e. The Curlews (Numenius) are distinguished by the downward curvature, extreme slen- 
derness, and usually great length of the bill, with the slight scutellation of the tarsus. In size 
and general appearance they are near the Godwits ; they inhabit all parts of the world. They 
all belong to the genus Numenius, which has about a dozen species — excepting the Ihidor- 
hyncha struthersi of Asia, which is a three-toed Curlew, not showing the coloration character- 
ibuo oi Liie itsi. Analysis nf North American Genera of Scolopacida:. 
Toes 3. (Sandpiper.) Calidris 240 
Toes 4. 
Bill si)Oon-sliaped Eurynorhynchiis 241 
Bill not spoon -shaped. 
One outer primary emarginate, narrowed. ("Woodcock.) .... - Scolopax 230 
Three outer primaries emarginate, narrowly linear. (Woodcock.) Philohela 229 
No outer primaries emarginate. . 
Toes cleft to the base. 
Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. 
Bill about twice as long as liead ; tibiae naked below. (Snipe.) Gallinago 231 
Bill little longer than head ; tibiae feathered to the joint. (Sandpiper.) . . . Arquatella 236 
Tarsus about equal to or longer than middle toe and claw. (Sandpipers.) 
Bill slightly curved, longer than head. 
Tarsus evidently longer than middle toe and claw Ancylochihis 238 
Tarsus equal to or barely longer than middle toe and claw Pelidna 237 
Bill perfectly straight, much shorter than head. Primaries mottled .... Tryngites 249 
Bill perfectly straight, equal to or longer than head. 
Tarsus much longer than middle toe and claw Tringa 239 
Tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw Actodrornas 235 
Toes semipalmate, with one or two evident webs. 
Tarsus scutellate in front only ; bill very long, decurved. (Curlews.) Numenius 251 
Tarsus scutellate in front only ; bill barely longer than head, straight .... Heteroscelus 250 
Tarsus scutellate in front and behind. 
Tail not barred. One minute web. Primaries mottled Tryngites 249 
Tail not barred. Two full basal webs. Primaries plain. (Sandpipers.) 
Bill shorter or scarcely longer than head Ereunetes 234 
Bill much longer than head Micropalama 233 
Tail barred crosswise with light and dark colors. 
Gape not reaching beyond base of bill. 
Culmen furrowed at end. Under a foot long. (Snipe.) .... Macrorhamphus 232 
Culmen not furrowed. Bill if anything recurved. Over a foot long. (Godwits.) 
Limosa 242 
Gape longer. Length under 9 inches. (Tattlers.) 
Bill grooved nearly to tip Tringoides 246 
Bill grooved about half-way to tip Rhyacophilus 245 
Gape longer. Length over 9 inches. (Tattlers.) 
Bill not longer than head, grooved three-fourths its length. 
Tail about half as long as wing Lcirtramia 248 
Tail not lialf as long as wing Machetes 247 
Bill longer than head 
Legs bluish. Toes semipalmate. Bill stout. (Willet.) .... Symphemia 243 
Legs green or yellow. Bill slender. (Yellowshanks.) Totanus 244 
