318 
PRATINCOLES. 
towards the point, and bending for half its 
length ; nostrils basal, oval, oblique, partially 
protected above with a membrane ; wings very 
long, pointed, first quill longest, or equal to 
to the second ; tail forked ; legs rather short, 
a short bare space above the tarsal joint ; feet 
lengthened and slender, outer toes connected 
by a membrane ; hallux of middle length, ar- 
ticulated on the tarsus ; claws long, dilated at 
the base, that of the middle toe pectinated. 
Types, G. torquata , laciea, &c. Europe, Asia, 
Africa. 
Note. — Habits partially aquatic ; food insecti- 
vorous ; taken both on the ground and on 
the wing ; “ breeds on the ground, eggs four.”* 
* Yarrell. 
