263 
PHALAROPES. 
The next form we have to notice is that of the Pha- 
laropes or Natatorial Sandpipers, a group of very 
limited extent, but showing beautifully a connection 
of their own sub-family, both with the Naiatores, and 
with the more aquatic members of the Hallidce. Their 
form is that of the true Tringw, but their feet show 
an advance to the webbed structure, by the naked 
fringes lining the toes, while their plumage some- 
what resembles that of the aquatic birds by its 
compactness. The seasonal changes are from grey 
to red or chestnut. They are chiefly northern in 
locality, breed on the sea shores, and freely swim 
or take to the water, occasionally roaming to some 
distance from shore. Two genera have been given 
to these birds by modem writers ; we shall give the 
characters of both ; but it is probable that they may 
with propriety be resolved into one. 
Fiialaropus, Brisson Generic characters. — 
Bill nearly angular at • lie base, and strong , de- 
pressed ; mandible dilated towards the tip , after- 
wards rather suddenly accuminated, and at the 
point deflected over the maxilla , grooved for the 
whole length ; tongue short, blunt at the tip ; 
nostrils nearly basal, semi-lateral, oval, sur- 
rounded by a membrane; wings of mean 
length, and as in Tringa, small spurious quill, 
pointed and possessing rigidity ; legs compa- 
