SCOLOPACINJ^. 
The 
Single  species  of  this  genus  is  found  scattered  througli  the  Old  World,  frequenting  the  extensive  forests,  among 
which  they  lie  concealed  during  the  day,  hut  early  in  the  morning,  and  as  the  twilight  approaches  they 
^'ii'atcl  ■ P^ces  and  meadows  to  search  for  their  food,  which  principally  consists  of  worms,  that  are  obtained  hy 
sligj^t  1 p <Jcad  leaves  and  grasses.  It  is  occasionally  found  on  the  margins  of  small  streams.  The  nest  is  a 
'vhich 
in  a thicket,  or  at  the  root  of  a tree,  which  is  lined  with  a few  dead  leaves  and  stems  of  dried  grass,  on 
^10  deposited  four 
eggs. 
S. 
>uHicola  Litin.  PI.  eiil.  885.,  Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  — Scolopax  indicus  Hodys.  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Beng.  1837.  p.  490. 
Phii.oheea.* 
long,  straight,  with  the  sides  coinpressed  and  broadly  grooved  totvards  the  tip,  which  is  ratlier 
tile  curved  over  that  of  the  lower  mandible ; the  nostrils  basal,  placed  in  the  groove,  with 
oblong  and  exposed,  ^¥ings  moderate,  with  the  first  three  quills  graduated,  narrowed,  and 
’ &nd  the  fourth  and  fifth  equal  and  longest.  Tail  moderate  and  rounded.  Tarsi  shorter  than 
^he  midd]  ^ 
t},  . robust,  and  covered  in  front  mth  transverse  narrow  scales.  Toes  moderate,  with 
1C  inncj.  sh 
Snorter  than  the  outer ; the  hind  toe  long,  slender,  with  the  claw  very  small. 
Th 
that  forms  this  division  is  only  found  in  North  America ; it  frequents  the  woods  and  thickets  during  the 
lartr  morning  and  on  the  approach  of  evening  seeks  the  open  swampy  places  and  the  marshy  shores  of 
V where  it  searches  for  its  food  which  consists  of  the  larva3  of  insects,  and  worms ; these  it  usually  finds 
tfiorp,  T,®  the  leaves  that  lie  on  the  ground  with  its  bill,  but  it  also  occasionally  probes  the  earth  in  search  of 
till 
eta 
tells 
Tiaek- 
«ouacl, 
^i'®bed  in  the  woods,  it  rises  to  the  height  of  the  bushes  or  underwood,  and  almost  instantly  drops  behind 
>Al  ^ ^ short  distance,  generally  running  off  for  several  yards  as  soon  as  it  reaches  the  gx-ound.  Wilson  further 
till,  ha 
®onxetimes  it  rises  by  a kind  of  spii’al  coui’se  to  a considerable  height  in  the  air,  uttering  at  times  a sudden 
-vxng  gained  its  utmost  height,  it  hovers  arouixd  in  a wild  irregular  manner,  making  a soi't  of  murmuring 
tliro^yjjj^  . descends  with  rapidity  as  it  I’osc.  The  usual  note  of  tliis  bii’d  seems  to  be  uttered  with  great  difficulty, 
towards  the  earth,  and  frequently  jetting  up  its  tail.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  is 
^ few  dead  leaves  and  stalks  of  grass  laid  loosely  together.  The  eggs  ai’e  four  or  five  in  ixumbei’. 
k-  minor  (Gmel.)  Vieill.  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  242.,  Wils.  Amer.  Oi  n.  pi.  48.  f.  2.,  Audub.  B.  of  Amer.  pi,  248. 
Rhyncieea  Cuv.-f 
^hd  cT  father  curved,  compressed,  and  grooved  on  the  sides  to  the  tip,  which  is  much  curved 
Mth  ^ looked  over  that  of  the  lower  mandible ; the  nostrils  basal,  placed  in  the  lateral  groove, 
'Opening  linear  and  exposed.  Wings  moderate,  with  the  first  three  quills  equal  and  longest ; 
th  N 
tiatng  i**'  established  this  division  under  the  name  of  Microptern,  which  having  been  previously  employed,  I changed  i 
It  to 
WhJ  Vieiif;;^^  in  1841. 
k giveij  abw  ^ established  this  division  under  the  name  of  Rostrutula,  but  in  1825  he  adopted  that  proposed  by  Cuvier  (about  1817) 
