LIMOSIN.E. 
Numenius  Lath.* 
Bill  more  or  less  long,  slender,  and  curved  from  the  base,  with  the  sides  compressed  and  grooved 
nearly  its  whole  length ; the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  projecting  over  that  of  the  lower,  and  rath®’’ 
obtuse ; the  nostrils  basal,  lateral,  and  placed  in  the  lateral  groove,  Avith  the  opening  longitudinal,  and 
covered  by  a membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail  short  and 
even.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  narrow  transverse  scale®- 
Toes  moderate ; the  lateral  toes  unequal,  and  united  at  their  bases ; the  hind  toe  long,  slender,  and 
partly  resting  on  the  ground ; the  claws  short  and  obtuse. 
The  species  of  this  genus  <are  scattered  throughout  the  world,  inhabiting  the  temperate  regions  during  tlie 
when  they  are  usually  found  on  the  muddy  and  sandy  shores,  and  salt  marshes ; but  on  the  return  of  sum»er 
migriite  to  the  higher  latitudes,  where  they  frequent  the  moors  and  extensive  plains  that  abound  in  marshes  and  pc°  ® 
of  water.  Their  flight  is  elevated,  rapid,  and  in  a body  assuming  a wedge-shaped  form,  often  uttering  their 
whistling  note.  When  on  the  point  of  migrating  they  collect  together  in  a large  flock ; and,  as  soon  as  they  are  sufficieBt  J 
numerous,  they  generally  about  an  hour  before  sunset  rise  to  a great  height  in  the  air,  and  then  slowly  start  off  i” 
continued  line  towards  their  destination,  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  a constant  whistling,  which  is  responded  to  by  6^“=* 
bird  of  the  flock.  Their  food  consists  of  worms,  larvae  of  insects,  crustaceous  and  molluscous  animals ; these  they  extr^c 
from  the  sand  and  moistened  earth  by  probing  with  their  long  bills,  even  beneath  the  surface  of  the  shallow  ^atet- 
sometimes  they  frequent  the  fields  and  woodlands  in  search  of  berries.  The  nests  arc  formed  on  the  ground  ainoBg® 
the  heath  or  herbage.  In  a hole  scraped  in  the  earth,  and  lined  with  decayed  grass,  &c.  The  female  dc^sits  foiu’ 
1.  N.  arqiiutus  (Linn.)  PI.  enl.  818.,  Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  302. 
2.  N.  synyenicos  Von  der  Blullie,  Beitr.  zur  Ornith.  Griechen- 
lands,  &c. 
3.  N.  cyanopus  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d’Hist.  Nat.  viii.  p.  S06. 
Numenius  australasianu.s  Gould. 
4.  ? N.  Umutus  Cuv.  Less.  Tr.  d’Orn.  p.  565. 
5.  N.  madagasoariensis  (Linn.)  Lath.  PI.  enl.  1Q8. 
6.  N.  tahitiensis  (Gmel.)  Latli.  — Scolopax  plifcopus  Linn.  ? 
Porst.  Descr.  Aniin.  p.  242.,  Icon.  ined.  liq. 
7.  N.  luzoniensis  (Gmel.)  Latli.  Sonn.  Voy.  t.  48 Numenius 
atricapillus  Vieill. 
8 N.  leueocephalus  (Gmel.)  Lath.  Gen.  Syn.  pi.  80. 
9.  N.  longirostris  AVils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  64.  f.  4.  — Numeniu.s 
melanops  Vieill.  Audub.  B.  of  Amev.  pi.  2.31. 
1 307’' 
10.  N.  phcBOpus  Linn.  PI.  enl.  842.,  Edwards’s  Birds,  P" 
Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  303.^ — Phseopus  vulgaris  Lletn.  j 
Pha;opus  Cuv.  (1817). 
11.  N.  tenuirostris  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d’Hist.  Nat.  viii-  P- 
Pr.  Bonap.  Faun.  Italica,  t. 
12.  N.  nropygiuUs  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1840.  p.  175.  Qf„. 
13.  N.  hudsoniens  Lath.  — Scolopax  borealis  Uals.  Anr^t. 
pi.  56.  f.  1.  ; Numenius  rufiventris  Vigors.  ? jjy- 
14.  N.  borealis  Lath.  Fauna,  Bor.  Amer.  Birds,  ph  d5- 
menius  brevirostris  Licht.  PI.  col.  381. 
15.  N.  minutas  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1840,  p.  176. 
16.  N.  minor  Midi.  & Schl.  Verb.  Nat,  Geseh.  &c,  p.  1'**' 
Limosa  5rm.f 
Bill  long,  rather  slender,  and  more  or  less  inclined  upivards  toAvards  the  tip,  Avith  the  sides 
and  grooved  on  both  mandibles  for  nearly  their  entire  length ; the  nostrils  lateral,  basal,  and 
the  groove,  with  the  opening  longitudinal,  and  closed  by  a membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed ; 
Established  by  Mmhnng  in  1752  (Gen  Avium).  Phceopus  of  Cuvier  (1817)  is  synonymous.  , 
t Brisson  established  this  division  in  I76O.  Aetitis  of  Illiger  (181 1),  Limicula  of  Vieillot  (I8I6),  Fedoa  of  Mr.  Stephen  (’Sling 
Xenus  of  Dr.  Kaup  (1829)  are  coequal  with  the  latter  name ; TereMa  of  the  Prince  of  Canino  ( 1 8,38)  and  Shnorhynehus  of  Count 
and  Dr.  Blasius  (1840)  are  synonymous.  ^ 
7 K 
