INTRODUCTION. 
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Genus TOTANUS, Bechstein. Both Hemispheres, and especially in the temperate and 
northern portions. 
Gen. chau. — Bill more or less long and strong, with the culmen straight or slightly curved, and the sides 
compressed to the tip, which is slightly curved and acnte ; the gonys long and slightly curved upwards ; the nostrils 
linear, and placed in a membranous groove, which does not extend beyond half the length of the bill. Wings 
reaching beyond the end of the tail and pointed, with the first quill the longest. Tail moderate and nearly even. 
Tarsi as long as, or longer than, the middle toe, more or less slender, and covered in front with numerous very 
narrow scales. Toes long, slender, the anterior toes united by a membrane, especially the outer ; the hind toe 
slender, elevated, and hardly touching the ground. 
Genus LIMOSA, Brisson. Cosmopolite. 
Gen. char. — Bill long, rather slender, and more or less inclined upwards towards the tip, with the sides com- 
pressed and grooved on both mandibles for nearly their entire length ; the nostrils lateral, basal, and placed in the 
groove, with the opening longitudinal and closed by a membrane. Wings long and pointed, with the first quill 
the longest. Tail short and even. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, rather slender, and covered in front with 
narrow transverse scales. Toes long; the outer toe united to the middle toe by a membrane as far as the first 
joint ; the inner toe slightly united ; the hind toe long, slender, and partly resting on the ground ; the claws 
short and obtuse. 
Genus NUMENIUS, Latham. Cosmopolite. 
Gen. chau. — Bill more or less Jong, slender, and curved from the base, with the sides compressed and grooved 
for nearly its whole length; the tip of the upper mandible projecting over that of the lower, and rather obtuse; 
the nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in the lateral groove, with the opening longitudinal, and covered by a mem- 
brane. 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 scales. Toes moderate, the lateral ones unequal 
and united at their base ; the hind toe long, slender, and partly resting on the ground ; the claws short and obtuse. 
Order G A V I M. 
Family LARIDiE. Gulls. 
Genus LARUS, Linn. All parts of the world except Polynesia. 
Gen. char. — Bill more or less strong, as long as or shorter than the head, straight, and laterally compressed, 
with the culmen straight at the base and arched to the tip, the gonys slightly angulated and advancing upwards ; 
the nostrils lateral, with the opening near the middle of the bill, and longitudinal. Wings lengthened and pointed, 
■with the first quill the longest. Tail moderate and even. Tarsi nearly as long as the middle toe, strong, and 
covered in front with transverse scales. Toes moderate, the anterior ones united by a full web ; the hind toe short 
and elevated. 
Genus STERCORARIUS, Brisson. The colder regions of both Hemispheres. 
Gen. char. — Bill moderate, straight, and strong, with the culmen straight, rounded, and covered with a mem- 
branous or bony cere ; the apex curved, vaulted, and strong; the gonys much angulated and ascending ; the nostrils 
placed in the fore part of the cere, narrow, and enlarging anteriorly. Wings lengthened and pointed, with the first 
quill the longest. Tail moderate and rounded, with the two centre feathers sometimes lengthened. Tarsi longer 
than the middle toe, strong, and covered in front with strong scales. Toes moderate and strong, the anterioi one 
united by a full web ; the hind toe very small and hardly elevated. 
