of the United States. 321 
drius calidris , Wils. Am. Orn. mi. p. 68. pi ' 5 4. winter 
dress . 
Inhabits all over the globe : migrating periodically along 
the coasts of the middle states. 
52 . HIMANTOPUS. 
Himantopus, Briss. III. Cuv. Temm. Vieill. Ranz. Chnra- 
drius , L. Gm. Lath. Macrotarsus , Lacepede , Recurvirostra, 
Wilson. 
Bill long, very slender, smooth, subulate, cylindrical, 
'somewhat recurved from the middle, rather depressed at base, 
compressed and acute at the point, both mandibles furrowed 
on each side half their length : nostrils in the furrows, 
basal, linear, pervious : tongue short, slender, acuminate. 
Head small; eyes very small: neck long. Feet 3 toed; 
tibiae disproportionately long, thin, flexible, almost entirely 
naked ; tarsus thrice as long as the middle toe, very slender 
and flexible, somewhat compressed ; toes rather short, narrow, 
flattened beneath, edged by a narrow membrane ; middle toe 
longest, connected to the outer by a broad membrane, as far 
as the first joint, and to the inner by a very small one: nails 
very small, hardly compressed, rounded above, curved, 
and rather acute at tip. Wings very long, extremely acute; 
quills stiff ; first primary much the longest. Tail short, 
even, of twelve feathers. 
Flmale hardly differing from the male. Young somewhat 
different from the adult. Moult twice in the year. 
Live in small flocks, near waters, preferring salt marshes 
and sea-pools. Feed on insects, moilusca, &c. which they 
catch both in the air and mud. Breed socially, raising 
their nest as it becomes advisable; lay four or six eggs, 
which they hatch standing. Fly with great rapidity and 
steadiness, their stiffly protruded legs making up for the de- 
ficiency of their tail as a rudder. Walk with difficulty on 
hard ground, bending their body, on account of their weak 
