RECUR  VIROSTRINiE. 
Cladorhynchus  G.  R.  Gray.* 
Bill  very  long  and  straight,  with  the  culmen  slightly  depressed,  and  the  sides  grooved  and  comp^^ss®*^’ 
especially  towards  the  tip,  which  is  rather  acute ; the  nostrils  basal,  lateral,  and  placed  in  the  later^ 
groove,  with  the  opening  linear  and  closed  by  a membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first 
the  longest.  Tail  short  and  wedge-shaped.  Tarsi  long,  slender,  compressed,  and  covered  in  front 
reticulated  scales.  Toes  short,  united  together  by  an  indented  web ; the  inner  toe  shorter  than  the  outer? 
the  hind  toe  wanting. 
The  typical  species  of  this  division  Is  only  found  in  the  southern  and  western  portions  of  Australia.  Its  habits  ao 
manners  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  foregoing  genus. 
C.pec;oraii«  (Dubus),  Mem.  Acad.  Roy.  de  Brux.  1835.  p.  M.ag.de  Zool.  1835,  Ois.  t.45.  — Himantopuspalmatus  Gould,  B.  of  AusU-P' 
Himantopus  Briss.-f 
Bill  much  longer  than  the  head,  very  slender,  and  straight,  with  the  sides  grooved  to  the  middlo?  ^ 
compressed  towards  the  tip,  which  is  acute  j the  nostrils  basal,  and  placed  in  the  groove,  with 
opening  long,  linear,  and  closed  by  a membrane.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  louS® 
Tail  short,  and  nearly  even.  Tarsi  very  long,  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  reticulated  scales- 
moderate,  and  united  at  the  base  by  a small  membrane,  especially  the  outer  toe  ; the  hind  toe  wuuti^o  ’ 
the  claws  small,  compressed,  and  acute. 
The  species  are  scattered  over  various  portions  of  the  world.  They  are  generally  found  in  small  flocks  of  twenty 
thirty  individuals,  frequenting  marshy  places,  especially  salt  marshes  that  abound  in  shallow  pools.  It  is  in  such 
that  they  are  usually  seen,  wading  about  in  the  water  up  to  their  breast  while  seeking  for  their  food,  which  consists  of  n*’® 
shells,  aquatic  insects,  and  their  larvae ; and  the  length  and  form  of  their  bill  enable  them  to  scoop  for  their  food  from 
the  mud.  Their  flight  Is  rapid  and  steady,  and  if  alarmed  the  whole  party  collects  together  in  the  air,  flying 
long  legs  extending  behind  them,  and  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  a continual  sharp  often  repeated  note  of  cUel<- 
first  alighting,  either  on  the  ground  or  in  the  water,  they  usually  di’op  their  wings,  stand  with  their  legs  half 
at  the  same  time  trembling,  as  If  their  legs  were  too  weak  to  balance  the  weight  of  their  body.  The  nest  is 
formed  of  a small  quantity  of  dry  grass,  sea-weed,  and  other  kinds  of  vegetables ; and  is  often  added  to 
bird  has  commenced  sitting,  until  it  becomes  several  inches  in  thickness.  The  eggs  are  generally  four  in  number- 
1.  H.  candidus  Bonn.  PI.  enl.  878.  — Charailrius  himantopus 
Gmel. ; Himantopus  rufipes  et  H.  vulgaris  Bechst.  ; H.  atropterus 
etH.  melanopterus  Meyer  ; H.  albicollis  Vieill. ; H.  asiaticus  Less. 
Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  289- 
2.  H.  nigricollis  Vieill.  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  229 Recurvirostra  hi- 
mantopus Wils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  55.  f.  1.,  Auduh.  B.  of  Austr.  pi. 
328. 
B-  k”' 
3.  H.  mexicanus  Briss.  — Himantopus  leucurus 
gipes  Brehm  ? 
4.  H.  melanurus  Vieill.  Ency.  Meth.  p.  340.,  Azara,  No- 
Himantopus  hrasiliensis  Brehm  ? 
5.  H.  novee  zealandies  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1841-  P 
Austr.  pi.,  Voy.  au  Pole  Sud,  Ois.  t.  . f.  . 
6.  H.  leucocephalus  Gould,  Proc.  Z.S.  1837-  P-  26.,  B.  of 
8., 
B- 
of 
,pi- 
* It  was  in  1835  that  Chevalier  Duhus  established  this  genus  under  the  name  of  Leptorhynchus,  which,  having  been  previously 
was  changed  in  1840  to  the  above  name.  Xiphidiorhynchus  of  Herr  Reinchenback  (184  .?)  is  coequal. 
t Brisson  established  this  genus  in  I76O.  Macrotarsus  of  Lacepede  (1800—1801),  and  Hypsibates  of  Nitzsch  (182  .=’)• 
use‘l? 
October,  1847- 
