Ixxii 
INTRODUCTION. 
Genus HiEMATOPUS, Linnaeus. Most parts of the world. 
Gen. char. — Bill longer than the head, strong, straight, with the culmen slightly depressed at the base, and 
the apical portion much compressed to the tip, which is obtuse ; the nostrils placed in a lateral membranous groove, 
w'hich reaches nearly to the middle of the bill, with the opening linear. Wings long, with the first quill the longest. 
Tail moderate and even, or slightly rounded. Tarsi strong, longer than the middle toe, and covered with small 
reticulated scales. Toes moderate, strong; the lateral toes united to the middle toe by a basal membrane, especially 
the outer one ; the claws strong, broad, and slightly curved. 
Family SC0L0PACID5J. Snipes. 
Genus RECURVIROSTRA, Linn. Most parts of the world. 
Gen. char. — Bill very long and slender, with the culmen slightly depressed at the base, the sides grooved to 
the middle and compressed to the tip, which is gradually pointed ; the nostrils lateral, and placed in the groove, 
with the opening linear and membranous. Wings long and pointed, with the first quill the longest. Tail short 
and rounded. Tarsi much longer than the middle toe, rather compressed, and covered in front with reticulated 
scales. Toes united together by an indented web ; the outer toe rather longer than the inner ; the hind toe ex- 
tremely short ; the claws short, compressed, and acute. 
Genus HIMANTOPUS, Brisson. Most parts of the world. 
Gen. char. — Bill much longer than the head, very slender and straight, with the sides grooved to the middle 
and compressed towards the tip, which is acute ; the nostrils basal, and placed in the groove, with the opening long, 
linear, and closed by a membrane. Wings long and pointed, with the first quill the longest. Tail short and nearly 
even. Tarsi very long, slender, and covered in front with reticulated scales. Toes moderate, and united at the 
base by a small membrane, especially the outer toe; the hind toe wanting; the claws small, compressed, and acute. 
Genus PHALAROPUS, Brisson. Inhabits the northern regions of the globe, migrating to 
the more temperate climes during severe winters. 
Gen. char. — Bill as long as, or longer than, the head, more or less slender, but sometimes enlarged and depressed 
towards the tip, which is curved and acute ; the sides grooved for nearly its whole length, in which groove the 
nostrils are placed, with the opening basal, linear, and partly closed by a membrane. Wings long and pointed, 
with the first and second quills equal and longest. Tail more or less short or rounded. Tarsi as long as, or longer 
than, the middle toe, rather robust and compressed. Toes long ; the lateral toes united to the middle by a mem- 
brane that runs along the margin of each toe, which is more or less lobed ; the hind toe moderate, elevated, and 
slightly margined by a membrane ; the claws short and acute. 
Genus GALL1NAGO, Leach. Cosmopolite. 
Gen. char. Bill long, straight, grooved, and compressed on the sides, and the culmen rather depressed near 
the tip, which is obtuse, and curved over that of the lower mandible ; the nostrils basal, placed in the groove, with 
the opening oblong and exposed. Wings moderate and pointed, with the first and second quills equal and longest. 
Tail short and rounded. Tarsi moderate, shorter than the middle toe, strong, and covered in front with narrow 
transverse scales; the tibia bare for a short space above the tarsal joint. Toes long, the inner toe shorter than the 
outer, and free at their base ; the hind toe moderate and elevated, with the claw long and curved. 
Genus TRINGA, Linn. All the more genial parts of the world. 
Gen. char. Bill as long as, or longer than, the head, straight, slender, with the sides compressed at the 
base, and rather dilated and depressed at the tip ; the nostrils placed in a nasal groove, wdiicli extends to near the 
tip, basal, lateral, and longitudinal. / l ings moderate and pointed, with the first quill the longest. Tail rather 
short and nearly even. 1 arsi strong, rather long, and covered in front with transverse scales. Toes moderate 
slightly united at the base of the outer toe, and all margined on the sides by a membrane ; the hind toe very small 
and elevated. 
