Chapter 11

Male, 71/2, 143/4.

From Labrador to St Augustine in Florida, and Kentucky, during autumn. Missouri. Saskatchewan Plains. Not very rare. Migratory. Breeds in high northern latitudes.

Tringa Schinzii,Bonap.Syn. p. 249.Tringa Schinzii, Schinz's Sandpiper,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 384.Schinz's Sandpiper,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 109.Schinz's Sandpiper, Tringa Schinzii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 529.

Tringa Schinzii,Bonap.Syn. p. 249.

Tringa Schinzii, Schinz's Sandpiper,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 384.

Schinz's Sandpiper,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 109.

Schinz's Sandpiper, Tringa Schinzii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 529.

337. 10. Tringa semipalmata,Wils.Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Plate CCCCV.Adult.

Bill as long as the head, greenish-dusky; feet dull yellowish-green; upper part of head, cheeks, hind part and sides of neck, ash-grey, streaked with dusky; on the rest of the upper parts the feathers dusky-brown, margined with pale grey, those on the rump and the upper tail-coverts blackish-brown; secondary coverts tipped with white; alula and primary coverts brownish-black, the latter tipped with white; primary quills greyish-black, with white shafts; secondary quills more grey; primaries externally edged with white towards the base, as are the outer secondaries in a fainter degree, as well as terminally, some of them also having the greater part of the inner web greyish-white; two middle tail-feathers greyish-black on the inner web, their outer web and all the other feathers ash-grey; anterior part of forehead, and a band over the eye greyish-white; lower parts white.

Adult, 63/4, 121/2.

Exceedingly abundant from Texas to Maine, in winter, spring, and autumn. Breeds from Labrador northward. Columbia River. Migratory.

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tringa semipalmata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 131.Tringa semipalmata.Bonap.Syn. p. 316.Semipalmated Sandpiper,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 136.Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tringa semipalmata,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 111.

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tringa semipalmata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 131.

Tringa semipalmata.Bonap.Syn. p. 316.

Semipalmated Sandpiper,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 136.

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tringa semipalmata,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 111.

338. 11. Tringa pusilla,Wils.Little Sandpiper.

Plate CCCXX.Male and Female.

Bill a little shorter than the head, straight, greenish-dusky, feet pale dull yellowish-green; feathers of the upper parts brownish-black, broadly margined with light brownish-red, some of the scapulars margined externally with white, and the larger glossed with green; alula, primary coverts, primary quills, and outer secondaries, greyish-black, all more or less narrowly tipped with greyish-white; secondary coverts largely tipped with the same; primaries externally edged with white toward the base, as are the outer secondaries in a fainter degree, the inner webs of some of the latter greyish-white toward the base, their shafts white; rump and upper tail-coverts black; two middle tail-feathers black, with pale brownish-red edges, the next feather on each side greyish-brown, edged with greyish-white, the outer four pale greyish-brown, very narrowly margined externally, more broadly internally, and along their points with greyish-white; lateral tail-coverts with the outer web white; from the forehead over the eye to the occiput, a band of dull greyish-white, faintly streaked with dusky; loral band and ear-coverts brownish-dusky; cheeks dull greyish-white, faintly streaked with dusky; throat greyish-white; sides and fore part of neck of the same colour, faintly streaked with dusky; the rest of the lower parts, including the axillars, pure white; lower surface of wing pale brownish-grey. In autumn and winter the red edgings of the upper parts are substituted by light grey.

Male, 55/8, 113/8.

Distributed along the whole coast from Texas eastward, and throughout all intermediate districts to the Columbia River. Breeds in Labrador and the Fur Countries. Found even along the lakes and ponds in the woods. Very abundant. Migratory.

Little Sandpiper, Tringa pusilla,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 32.Tringa pusilla,Bonap.Syn. p. 319.Wilson's Sandpiper, Tringa Wilsonii,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 120.Little Sandpiper, Tringa pusilla,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 180.

Little Sandpiper, Tringa pusilla,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. v. p. 32.

Tringa pusilla,Bonap.Syn. p. 319.

Wilson's Sandpiper, Tringa Wilsonii,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 120.

Little Sandpiper, Tringa pusilla,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 180.

* Third toe wanting.

339. 12. Tringa arenaria. Sanderling Sandpiper.

Plate CCLXXXV.Summer.Plate CCXXX.Male and Female in winter.

Bill about the length of the head, straight, and with the feet black; hind toe wanting. In winter the general colour of the plumage ash-grey, the lower parts pure white; alula and primaries brownish-black, the latter with more or less white on their outer webs, or along the shaft; secondaries white, the outer with a patch of black towards the end, the inner ash-grey; primary coverts greyish-black, tipped with white; middle tail-feathers greyish-brown, their shafts white, the rest of a paler tint on the outer webs, white on the inner, the lateral almost pure white. In summer the upper parts of the head, hind neck, lateral, and fore part of the neck, pale yellowish-red, streaked with brownish-black; the back similarly marked, with larger spots, and on the scapulars disposed in bars; the tips of most of the feathers greyish-white; the other parts as in winter.

Male, 710/12, 121/2.

From Texas along the coast to Maine in autumn and spring, extremely abundant. Breeds from Lat. 55° northward.

Ruddy Plover, Charadrius rubidus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 129. Summer.Sanderling Plover, Charadrius Calidris,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 68. Winter.Calidris arenaria, Sanderling,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 366.Sanderling Plover, Calidris arenaria,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 4.Sanderling, Tringa arenaria,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 231; v. v. p. 582.

Ruddy Plover, Charadrius rubidus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 129. Summer.

Sanderling Plover, Charadrius Calidris,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 68. Winter.

Calidris arenaria, Sanderling,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 366.

Sanderling Plover, Calidris arenaria,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 4.

Sanderling, Tringa arenaria,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 231; v. v. p. 582.

GENUS II. PHALAROPUS,Briss.PHALAROPE.

Bill scarcely longer than the head, straight, slender, at the base somewhat cylindrical, toward the end broader and flattened, the tips narrowed; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, excepting at the end, where it is a little decurved, the ridge convex, flattened at the broad part, the sides slightly sloping, the edges rounded, and near the tip inflected; nasal groove linear, extending to near the tip; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the sides convex and sloping outwards, the tip narrowed. Nostrils basal, linear-elliptical. Head small, with the fore part high and rounded; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet rather short, slender; tibia bare a short way above the joint; tarsus much compressed, narrowed before and behind, covered anteriorly with numerous scutella; toes very slender, first extremely small, free, with a slight membrane beneath; second shorter than the fourth; third toe much longer, all scutellate above, the anterior margined onboth sides with lobed and pectinated membranes, which are united at the base, so as to render the foot nearly half-webbed, the outer web much longer than the inner. Claws very small, compressed, arched, obtuse. Plumage soft and blended; wings long and pointed, first quill longest, secondary quills rather short, the inner much elongated. Tail of moderate length, much rounded, of twelve feathers, the lower tail-coverts as long.

340. 1. Phalaropus fulicarius,Bonap.Red Phalarope.

Plate CCLV.Male and Female in summer. Male in winter.

In summer, the bill greenish-yellow, black at the point; feet pale green; upper part of head black; loral space and chin blackish-grey; sides of head, and a band round the occiput, white; sides and fore part of neck, breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts deep orange-red; fore part of back, scapulars, and inner secondaries, black, the feathers edged with whitish; wing-coverts deep ash-grey; quills dark greenish-brown, their shafts and basal parts white; the ends of the secondary and primary coverts, and the basal part of the outer webs of the primaries white, forming a band of that colour on the wing; upper tail-coverts orange-red; tail deep grey, darker towards the end, slightly tipped with reddish. Female in summer with the upper part variegated with light red and brownish-black, the central part of each feather being of the latter colour; the upper tail-coverts entirely of the former; tail deep grey, as in the male; lower parts of a less pure red, being paler, and tinged with grey. In winter the bill nearly black, upper and fore part of head, fore part and sides of neck, breast, abdomen, lower and lateral upper tail-coverts, with a band across the wing, white; a brownish-black line from the eye to the occiput, which is of the same colour, as well as in the middle of the hind neck; back, scapulars, and inner secondaries, ash-grey.

Adult, 71/2, 13.

Occasionally in flocks in Kentucky, on the Ohio, during autumn often at sea on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Breeds in high northern latitudes, as far as Melville Peninsula. Stragglers at times reach as far south as New Jersey, but the route of this species toward warmer regions, is along the Pacific coast.

Red Phalarope, Phalaropus hyperboreus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 75.Phalaropus fulicarius,Bonap.Syn. p. 341.Phalaropus fulicarius, Flat-billed Phalarope,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 407.Red Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 236.Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 404.

Red Phalarope, Phalaropus hyperboreus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 75.

Phalaropus fulicarius,Bonap.Syn. p. 341.

Phalaropus fulicarius, Flat-billed Phalarope,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 407.

Red Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 236.

Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 404.

GENUS III. LOBIPES,Cuv.LOBEFOOT.

Bill at least as long as the head, extremely slender, straight, nearly cylindrical, towards the end tapering; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, unless at the end, where it is a little decurved, the ridge broad and depressed, the sides slightly sloping, the edges rounded, and inflected towards the narrow acute tip; nasal groove long, linear; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the sides convex, the tip narrowed. Head small, with the fore part high and rounded; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. Feet moderate, slender; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus extremely compressed, narrowed before and behind, covered anteriorly with numerous scutella; toes slender, first extremely small, free, with a slight membrane beneath, second slightly shorter than fourth; toes all scutellate above, the anterior webbed at the base, and margined on both sides with a lobed or sinuated membrane. Claws very small, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, and blended. Wings long and pointed, the first quill longest; inner secondaries very long and tapering; tail of twelve feathers rounded or nearly even. Tongue extremely slender, grooved above, tapering to a horny point; œsophagus narrow, uniform; stomach rounded, muscular, with the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length and width; cœca rather long. Trachea much flattened, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.

341. 1. Lobipes hyperboreus,Lath.Hyperborean Lobefoot.

Plate CCXV.Male and Female.

Bill about the same length as the head, membranes of the toes scolloped, tail much rounded; upper parts greyish-black, the head lighter and more tinged with grey, the scapulars and some of the feathers of the back edged with yellowish-red, of which colour are the sides of the head and neck; throat and sides of the upper part of the neckwhite; wing-coverts and quills brownish-black, tinged with grey, the shafts of the quills, margins, and tips of secondaries, and a broad bar on the tip of the secondary coverts white; tail light grey, the feathers margined with white, the two middle dark brownish-grey, lateral upper tail-coverts white, barred with dusky; breast and abdomen white. Young similar, but with the colours paler.

Male, 6, 131/2; wing 53/4.

Rarely seen south of New York. Plentiful at some periods from Massachusetts to Maine. Abundant in the Bay of Fundy during spring and autumn. Breeds in Labrador and along all the Arctic coast. Migratory.

Phalaropus hyperboreus.Bonap.Syn. p. 342.Hyperborean Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 239.Hyperborean Phalarope, Phalaropus hyperboreus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 118; v. v. p. 595.

Phalaropus hyperboreus.Bonap.Syn. p. 342.

Hyperborean Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 239.

Hyperborean Phalarope, Phalaropus hyperboreus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 118; v. v. p. 595.

342. 2. Lobipes Wilsonii,Sabine. Wilson's Lobefoot.

Plate CCLIV.Male and Young.

Bill half as long again as the head; membranes of the toes merely sinuous, tail nearly even; general colour of upper parts brownish-grey, hind neck and rump greyish-white, crown of head ash-grey; a white line over the eye; a band of black on the lore, under the eye, and down the side of the neck, where it enlarges, and changes into chestnut-red, extending down the back; another chestnut band crosses the wing, and includes part of the inner secondaries; quills greyish-brown, outer primaries and their coverts much darker, the shaft of the first white, tail-feathers pale brownish-grey on the outer, white more or less mottled on the inner webs; throat and cheeks white; fore neck orange-brown, fading below, and extending paler over the sides of the body; breast, abdomen, and lower wing-coverts white.

Adult, 10, 171/2.

Procured in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Boston. Breeds abundantly on the Rocky Mountains. Saskatchewan River. Winters in Mexico.

Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 72.Phalaropus Wilsonii,Bonap.Syn. p. 342.Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus Wilsonii,Bonap.Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 59.Phalaropus Wilsonii, Wilson's Phalarope,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 405.American Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 245.Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus Wilsonii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 400.

Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 72.

Phalaropus Wilsonii,Bonap.Syn. p. 342.

Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus Wilsonii,Bonap.Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 59.

Phalaropus Wilsonii, Wilson's Phalarope,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 405.

American Phalarope,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 245.

Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus Wilsonii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 400.

GENUS IV. TOTANUS,Bechst.TATLER.

Bill much longer than the head, very slender, subcylindrical, straight, flexible, compressed at the base, the pointrather depressed and obtuse; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge convex, as are the sides, the edges thick, the tip slightly deflected; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, with a slight groove in their basal half, the edges grooved longitudinally, as are those of the upper, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, linear. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck rather long and slender; body slender. Feet very long and slender; tibia bare for half its length; tarsus compressed, scutellate before and behind; hind toe very small, anterior of moderate length, connected by webs at the base, all scutellate above. Claws small, slightly arched, rather obtuse. Plumage soft and blended; wings long, narrow, pointed; first quill longest, inner secondaries long; tail short, of twelve rounded feathers.

343. 1. Totanus macularius,Wils.Spotted Tatler.—Spotted Sandpiper. Peet-weet.

Plate CCCX.Male and Female.

Bill a little longer than the head, very slender, flexible, greenish above, yellow beneath, legs rather long and slender, pale flesh-colour; upper parts glossy greenish-olive, with bronze reflections, the head longitudinally streaked, the back transversely undulated with dusky; lower parts white, marked with numerous brownish-black spots, smaller on the throat, largest and roundish on the breast and sides. Young with the upper feathers of the upper parts terminally margined with dusky, the wing-coverts barred, the lower parts pure white.

Male, 8, 133/4.

Breeds from the Texas along the shores to Maine, the islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Labrador. Inland all over the country. Very common. Resident in the Southern States. Columbia River.

Spotted Sandpiper, Tringa macularia,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 60.Totanus macularius,Bonap.Syn. p. 325.Spotted Tatler or Peet-weet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 162.Spotted Sandpiper, Totanus macularius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 81.

Spotted Sandpiper, Tringa macularia,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 60.

Totanus macularius,Bonap.Syn. p. 325.

Spotted Tatler or Peet-weet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 162.

Spotted Sandpiper, Totanus macularius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 81.

344. 2. Totanus solitarius,Wils.Solitary Tatler.—Solitary Sandpiper.

Plate CCLXXXIX.Male and Female.

Bill a little longer than the head, very slender, greenish-black; feetgreenish-grey, long; upper part of head, lores, cheeks, hind part and sides of neck greyish-brown, streaked with brownish-white; a dull white line from the bill to the eye; upper part of throat greyish-white; fore neck of the same colour, streaked with greyish-brown; the rest of the lower parts white; the axillars and wing-coverts broadly barred with dusky; back and scapulars deep greenish-brown, the feathers edged with a few small spots of white and dusky, those of the inner secondaries more numerous; larger wing-coverts similar; smaller coverts, primary coverts, and primaries, deep brownish-black, secondaries greyish-brown; tail feathers and coverts broadly banded with white and brownish-black, except the two middle, which are merely spotted with white on the edges.

Male, 81/2, 161/2.

Distributed from Texas over the United States, breeding in deep woody situations, in the Fur Countries on the bare sand. Columbia River. Partially migratory.

Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 53.Totanus chloropygius,Bonap.Syn. p. 325.Totanus chloropygius, Green rump Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 393.Green-rump Tatler, Totanus chloropygius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 576; v. v. p. 583.

Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 53.

Totanus chloropygius,Bonap.Syn. p. 325.

Totanus chloropygius, Green rump Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 393.

Green-rump Tatler, Totanus chloropygius,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 576; v. v. p. 583.

345. 3. Totanus flavipes,Lath.Yellowshanks Tatler.—Yellowshanks Snipe.

Plate CCLXXXVIII.Male.

Bill a fourth longer than the head, black; feet long, bright yellow; upper part of the head, lores, cheeks, hind part and sides of the neck deep brownish-grey, streaked with greyish-white; a white line from the bill to the eye; fore neck greyish-white, streaked with greyish-brown, as are the sides; the rest of the lower parts white; the lower tail-coverts slightly marked with grey, the axillars and loral wing-coverts banded or spotted with the same; back and scapulars olivaceous brown, tinged with grey, the feathers edged with small dusky and white spots; wing-coverts and inner secondary quills similar, the marginal spots on the latter forming bands; primary quills blackish-brown, the shaft of the outer brownish-white, of the rest dark brown, the edges of the inner, and of the middle secondaries white; hind part of back brownish-grey; rump white, upper tail-coverts and tail barred with greyish-brown and white.

Male, 103/, 20.

From Texas to Maine, in autumn and spring. Very abundant at the same seasons throughout the interior. Breeds in the Fur Countries, up to the highest northern latitudes.

Yellowshanks Snipe, Scolopax flavipes,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 55.Totanus flavipes,Bonap.Syn. p. 324.Totanus flavipes, Yellowshanks Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 390.Yellowshanks Tatler,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 152.Yellowshank, Totanus flavipes,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 573; v. v. p. 586.

Yellowshanks Snipe, Scolopax flavipes,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 55.

Totanus flavipes,Bonap.Syn. p. 324.

Totanus flavipes, Yellowshanks Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 390.

Yellowshanks Tatler,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 152.

Yellowshank, Totanus flavipes,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 573; v. v. p. 586.

346. 4. Totanus vociferus,Wils.Tell-tale Tatler.—Tell-tale Godwit or Snipe. Greater Yellowshanks. Long-shanks. Humility. Clou-Clou.

Plate CCCVIII.Male and Female in winter.

Bill about half longer than the head, black, at the base bluish-grey; legs long, bright yellow. Upper part of head, lores, cheeks, and neck all round, excepting the throat, streaked with brownish-black, on a white ground, tinged with grey on the head and hind neck; breast, and abdomen, white; almost entirely spotted and barred with brownish-black, as are the sides and tail-coverts, together with the axillar feathers and lower wing-coverts; the lower surface of the primaries light grey, their shafts white; upper parts black, glossed with green, and variegated with white, each feather being margined with triangular spots of that colour; hind part of rump and upper tail-coverts white, barred with dusky; anterior small. Wing-coverts, alula, primary coverts, and primary quills, brownish-black, without spots, shaft of first primary white, of the rest brown; tail-feathers white, with numerous bands of dark greyish-brown, the middle six feathers more or less of a light brownish-grey toward the end, the bars not extending over their central part. In winter, the upper parts much paler, the lower having the greater part of the breast and abdomen pure white.

Male, 14, 243/4.Female, 133/4, 251/2.

Abundant during autumn, winter, and spring, from Texas along the Atlantic, and throughout the interior to Labrador. Few breed in the Jerseys; most from Labrador northward.

Tell-tale Godwit or Snipe, Scolopax vociferus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 57.Totanus melanoleucus,Bonap.Syn. p. 324.Totanus vociferus, Tell-tale,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 389.Tell-tale or Greater Yellowshanks,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 148.Tell-tale Godwit, Totanus melanoleucus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 68.

Tell-tale Godwit or Snipe, Scolopax vociferus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 57.

Totanus melanoleucus,Bonap.Syn. p. 324.

Totanus vociferus, Tell-tale,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 389.

Tell-tale or Greater Yellowshanks,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 148.

Tell-tale Godwit, Totanus melanoleucus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 68.

347. 5. Totanus Glottis,Linn.Greenshank Tatler.

Plate CCLXIX.Male.

Bill nearly one-half longer than the head, dusky green; legs long dull greyish-green; all the lower parts, and the back, excepting a small portion anteriorly, pure white; the fore part of head and cheeks also white; loral band with small oblong spots of greyish-brown, sides of lower part of fore neck and a portion of the breast faintly undulated with grey; upper part of head, hind part and sides of neck, greyish-white, lineated with greyish-brown; scapulars and inner secondariesgreyish-brown, edged with greyish-white, and lined or mottled with dark brown towards the margins; smaller wing-coverts plain brown, the larger darker near the edge, and margined with whitish, as are the outer secondaries; primary quills and coverts dark brown, the shaft of the outer white; tail greyish-white, undulated with light brown, the outer four feathers on each side with only a series of spots on the outer edge, which on the outermost feathers is almost obliterated.

Male, 11, wing, 7.

Only three procured on Sand Key, Florida.

Scolopax Glottis,Linn.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 245.Greenshank,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 68.Greenshank, Totanus Glottis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 483.

Scolopax Glottis,Linn.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 245.

Greenshank,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 68.

Greenshank, Totanus Glottis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 483.

348. 5. Totanus semipalmatus,Lath.Semipalmated Tatler.—Willet. Stone Curlew.

Plate CCLXXIV.Fig. 1. Male in spring. Fig. 2. Female in winter.

Bill nearly a half longer than the head, rather stout, light blue, dusky toward the end; feet long, rather stout, light blue, the basal membranes large. In summer, the head and neck brownish-grey, streaked with blackish-brown; throat and a band from the bill over the eye white; fore part of back and scapulars brownish-grey, variegated with central marks of blackish-brown; third part of back brownish-grey with a gloss of olive; wing-coverts grey, with central lines of brownish-black; primary coverts and primary quills brownish-black, the latter white in their basal half; outer secondaries white, inner like the scapulars; lower wing-coverts and axillar feathers blackish-brown; breast and sides white, the latter transversely undulated with brownish-black; abdomen, and lower and upper tail-coverts white, with a few dusky bars; four middle tail-feathers barred with brownish-black and brownish-grey, the rest pale grey, fading to white on the outer, and all more or less minutely undulated with pale brownish-grey.

Male, 151/2, 273/4.Female, 151/2, 31.

Breeds abundantly in Texas, and along the Atlantic shores to New York, sparingly as far as Massachusetts. Constant resident in the Southern States. Rare in the interior.

Semipalmated Snipe, Scolopax semipalmata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 27.Totanus semipalmatus, Semipalmated Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 388.Semipalmated Snipe or Willet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 144.Semipalmated Snipe or Willet, Totanus semipalmatus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 510; v. v. p. 585.

Semipalmated Snipe, Scolopax semipalmata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 27.

Totanus semipalmatus, Semipalmated Tatler,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 388.

Semipalmated Snipe or Willet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 144.

Semipalmated Snipe or Willet, Totanus semipalmatus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 510; v. v. p. 585.

GENUS V. LIMOSA,Briss.GODWIT.

Bill very long, slender, subcylindrical, tapering to an obtuse point, slightly recurved; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly curved upwards, the ridge convex, the sides with a narrow groove extending almost to the point, the edges rather obtuse, the tip very slightly enlarged; lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the sides with a narrow groove extending almost to the end, the edges blunt, the tip obtuse. Nostrils basal, linear, nearer the edge. Head small, oblong; neck rather long, slender; body slender. Feet long and slender; tibia bare for about a third, anteriorly scutellate; tarsus long, slender, scutellate before and behind; toes small, slender, scutellate above; anterior connected by webs at the base, first very small. Claws small, compressed, slightly arched, obtuse. Plumage soft and blended. Wings rather long, narrow, very acute; primaries tapering, the first longest, the inner secondaries elongated. Tail short, even, of twelve narrow rounded feathers.

349. 1. Limosa Fedoa,Linn.Great Marbled Godwit.

Plate CCXXXVIII.Male and Female.

Bill dull flesh-colour at the base, blackish-brown toward the end; feet bluish-grey; head and neck light yellowish-grey, streaked with dusky; the rest of the upper parts spotted and barred with brownish-black and greyish-yellow; alula and primary coverts brownish-black, as are the outer webs of the first three quills, those of the other primaries, and both webs of the secondaries, reddish-ochre, all more or less finely mottled with dusky, and the primaries of that colour towards the end, but with the terminal margins whitish; the inner secondaries barred like the back, as are the tail-feathers; breast, abdomen, and lower surface of wings, light reddish-yellow, the axillar feather of a deeper tint, the sides faintly barred with dusky.

Male, 161/2, 281/2.Female, 201/2.

Passes in spring from Texas along the coast, in immense flocks, to Massachusetts, and apparently across the land, to the Saskatchewan, where it breeds. None seen in Labrador. A few breed in South Carolina, perhaps also in Texas. Not observed in the Western Country. In autumn returns southward beyond the limits of the United States.

Great Marbled Godwit, Scolopax Fedoa,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 30.Limosa Fedoa,Bonap.Syn. p. 328.Limosa Fedoa, Great Marbled Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 395.Great Marbled Godwit,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 173.Great Marbled Godwit, Limosa Fedoa,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 287; v. v. p. 590.

Great Marbled Godwit, Scolopax Fedoa,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 30.

Limosa Fedoa,Bonap.Syn. p. 328.

Limosa Fedoa, Great Marbled Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 395.

Great Marbled Godwit,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 173.

Great Marbled Godwit, Limosa Fedoa,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 287; v. v. p. 590.

350. 2. Limosa Hudsonica,Lath.Hudsonian Godwit.

Plate CCLVIII.Adult, Male, and Young Female.

Bill greyish-yellow, dark brown along the ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish toward the tips of both; feet light greyish-blue; head and neck brownish-grey, with darker lines; a band from the bill over the eye, and the throat, greyish-white; back deep grey, the scapulars brownish-black, with small white markings on the edges of the feathers; smaller wing-coverts, alula, primary quills, and their coverts brownish-black; secondaries lighter, and with their inner webs pale grey; tips of primary coverts and bases of quills white, as is a broad band over the rump; tail-feathers and upper tail-coverts brownish-black, their bases white; lower parts bright yellowish-red, the sides mottled with dark brown; abdomen and lower tail-coverts paler and variegated with dusky; lower wing-coverts blackish-brown, edged with whitish. Young in winter with the lower parts pale brownish-grey, the upper brownish-grey, the fore part of the back and scapular brownish-black, the feathers edged with light brownish-red, wing-coverts brownish-grey.

Male, 153/4, 28.Female, 163/4, 29.

Rather rare along the Atlantic Districts in spring and autumn. Breeds in the barren grounds of the Arctic seas in great numbers. Migratory.

Scolopax hudsonica,Lath.Ind. Orn. v. ii. p. 720.Limosa hudsonica, Hudsonian Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 396.Hudsonian Godwit,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 175.Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa hudsonica,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 426; v. v. p. 592.

Scolopax hudsonica,Lath.Ind. Orn. v. ii. p. 720.

Limosa hudsonica, Hudsonian Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 396.

Hudsonian Godwit,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 175.

Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa hudsonica,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 426; v. v. p. 592.

GENUS VI. SCOLOPAX,Linn.SNIPE.

Bill twice as long as the head; subulate, straight, compressed for half its length, depressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate at the base, then straight, at the end slightly arched, that part being considerably enlarged, the ridge convex, towards the end flattened, the sides with a narrow groove extending to near the tip, the edges soft and obtuse or flattened, the tip narrowed, but blunt; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the sides erect, with a longitudinal groove, theedges flattened, and directly meeting those of the upper mandible, the extremity enlarged, the tip contracted and rather blunt. Nostrils basal, linear, very small. Head rather small, oblong, the forehead elevated and rounded; neck rather short; body rather full. Legs of moderate length, slender; tibia bare below; tarsus scutellate before and behind; toes very slender, free, scutellate; first toe very small and elevated, lateral toes nearly equal, the outer connected with the third by a basal web. Claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather acute. Plumage very soft, rather dense. Wings long, narrow, pointed; the first quill longest; inner secondaries much elongated. Tail moderate, nearly even.

351. 1. Scolopax Wilsonii,Temm.Wilson's Snipe.—Common Snipe. English Snipe.

Plate CCXLIII.Male and Female.

Tail of sixteen feathers; upper part of head with two brownish-black longitudinal broad bands, separated by a narrower central pale brown band; another band of the latter colour on each side over the eye, then a loral band of dark brown; chin whitish; neck pale reddish-brown, spotted with brownish-black; general colour of upper parts brownish-black, variegated with pale reddish-brown, of which latter colour are the outer edges of the scapulars and of the lateral feathers on the anterior part of the back; wing-coverts and inner secondaries similarly mottled, the smaller anterior coverts, primary coverts, primary quills, and outer secondaries, deep brown, more or less tipped with white; first quill with the outer web brownish-white, rump barred with yellowish-grey and dusky; upper tail-coverts similar, but the larger barred with brownish-red and black; tail-feathers brownish-black at the base, with a broad subterminal band of brownish-red on the outer web of the two middle, and on both webs of the rest, excepting the outer on each side, which is barred with brownish-black and white, the black bars five, the tips of all white; anterior part of breast like the neck, the rest white; abdomen and lower tail-coverts greyish-yellow, barred with brownish-black, as are the sides; axillars white, barred with greyish-black, lower wing-coverts similarly marked.

Male, 101/2, 17.

Distributed throughout the country. Breeds from Virginia northwards. Exceedingly abundant in the Southern and Western Districts during winter.

Scolopax Wilsonii,Bonap.Syn. p. 330.Snipe, Scolopax Gallinago,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 18.Scolopax Wilsonii, Wilson's Snipe,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 401.Wilson's Snipe,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 185.American Snipe, Scolopax Wilsonii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 322; v. v. p. 583.

Scolopax Wilsonii,Bonap.Syn. p. 330.

Snipe, Scolopax Gallinago,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 18.

Scolopax Wilsonii, Wilson's Snipe,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 401.

Wilson's Snipe,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 185.

American Snipe, Scolopax Wilsonii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 322; v. v. p. 583.

352. 2. Scolopax Drummondii,Swains.Drummond's Snipe.

Not figured.

"Dorsal plumage and wings mostly brownish-black; the top of the head, scapulars, interscapulars, intermediate coverts, posterior greater ones, and tertiaries, reflecting green and mottled, or barred with yellowish-brown; this colour also forming stripes from the forehead to the nape, over the eyes to the sides of the neck, and more broadly on the exterior edges of the scapulars and interscapulars; middle dorsal plumage and first quill fringed with white, and most of the wing-coverts and lesser quills tipped with the same. Shafts of the primaries deep brown, an inch of the first near its point whitish. Rump and tail-coverts rich greenish-black, with reddish-orange or ferruginous ends, crossed by a blackish subterminal line, and tipped with white; the three exterior pairs barred externally with clove-brown and brownish-white, the white tips broader; the two intermediate pairs coloured nearly like the middle ones, but partly barred and tipped with white. Under plumage, a dark brown stripe on the lores, another under the ear; sides of the head, front of the neck, and breast pale wood-brown, with central spots of dark umber; the flanks, insides of the wings, and under tail-coverts barred with black and white, which on the latter is tinged with brown; belly white; bill blackish towards its tip, dark wood-brown at the base. Length 111/2, wing 53/8.

"Fur Countries to Lat. 55°. Rocky Mountains."

Scolopax Drummondii, Drummond's Snipe,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 400.Drummond's Snipe, Scolopax Drummondii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 319.

Scolopax Drummondii, Drummond's Snipe,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 400.

Drummond's Snipe, Scolopax Drummondii,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 319.

353. 3. Scolopax Noveboracensis,Gmel.Red-breasted Snipe.

Plate CCCXXXV.Adult in summer and winter.

Tail of twelve feathers; bill dark olive; feet light yellowish-olive. In summer, the upper parts brownish-black, variegated with light brownish-red, the feathers being margined and the scapulars obliquely barred with that colour; hind part of back, upper tail-coverts, and tail-feathers light buff or white, barred with black, the bars on the tail seven or eight, and its tip white; wing-coverts and secondaries greyish-brown, margined with greyish-white; secondary coverts tipped with white, the quills tipped and obliquely banded with the same; alula, primary coverts, and quills brownish-black, the shaft of the first quill white; from the base of the bill to the eye, and surrounding it, adull reddish-white band; loral space dusky; all the lower parts dull orange-red, with streaks and spots of black, more numerous along the sides and on the tail-coverts. In winter, the upper parts of a nearly uniform brownish-grey, the hind part of the back and tail barred as in summer, head and neck all round ash-grey, streaked with dusky, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, the sides barred with dusky.

Adult, 101/4, 181/2.

Passes in immense numbers from Texas eastward and northward to the highest latitudes, where it breeds, and returns in autumn. Occasionally seen in groups through the interior. Columbia River.

Red-breasted Snipe, Scolopax noveboracensis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 48.Scolopax grisea,Bonap.Syn. p. 330.Scolopax noveboracensis, New York Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 398.Brown or Red-breasted Snipe,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 181.Red-breasted Snipe, Scolopax noveboracensis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 285.

Red-breasted Snipe, Scolopax noveboracensis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 48.

Scolopax grisea,Bonap.Syn. p. 330.

Scolopax noveboracensis, New York Godwit,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 398.

Brown or Red-breasted Snipe,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 181.

Red-breasted Snipe, Scolopax noveboracensis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 285.

GENUS VII. MICROPTERA,Nutt.BOGSUCKER.

Bill double the length of the head, straight, slender, tapering, subtrigonal, and deeper than broad at the base, slightly depressed towards the end; upper mandible with the ridge narrow, towards the end flattened, the sides with a narrow groove extending to near the tip, the tip blunt, knob-like, and longer than that of the lower. Head rather large, oblong; eyes large, and placed high; neck short; body full. Feet rather short; tibia feathered to the joint; tarsus rather short, compressed, scutellate; first toe very small, the third much longer than the tarsus. Claws very small, arched, acute. Wings short, rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest, the first three extraordinarily attenuated. Tail very short, cuneate, of twelve feathers.

354. 1. Microptera Americana,Aud.Common Bogsucker.—American Woodcock.

Plate CCLXVIII.Male, Female, and Young.

Bill and feet flesh-coloured; forehead yellowish-grey, with a few dark mottlings in the centre; on the upper part of the head two broad blackish-brown transverse bands, and on the occiput two narrower,separated by bands of light red; a brownish-black loral band, and a narrow irregular line of the same across the cheek, and continued to the occiput; upper parts variegated with brownish-black, light yellowish-red, and ash-grey; inner wing-coverts and secondary quills similarly barred, the outer pale greyish-red, faintly barred with dusky; quills brown, tipped with dull grey, secondaries spotted on the outer web with dull red; upper tail-coverts barred; tail-feathers brownish-black, their tips grey, their outer edges mottled with reddish; sides of the neck grey, tinged with red; lower part in general light red, tinged with grey on the breast, on the sides and lower wing-coverts deeper; lower tail-coverts with a central dusky line, the tip white. Young with a longitudinal black band on the head.

Male, 11, 16.Female, 117/12, 171/4.

Distributed throughout the country. Extremely abundant in the Middle and Eastern Districts, as well as in the interior, where it breeds, as far as Nova Scotia. Equally abundant in winter in the Southern States, though many migrate southward.

Scolopax minor,Gmel.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 661.Woodcock, Scolopax minor,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 40.Scolopax minor,Bonap.Syn. p. 331.Lesser Woodcock,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 194.American Woodcock, Scolopax minor,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 474.

Scolopax minor,Gmel.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 661.

Woodcock, Scolopax minor,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 40.

Scolopax minor,Bonap.Syn. p. 331.

Lesser Woodcock,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 194.

American Woodcock, Scolopax minor,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 474.

GENUS VIII. RECURVIROSTRA,Linn.AVOCET.

Bill twice the length of the head, very slender, much depressed, tapering to a point, and slightly recurved; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then a little curved upwards, and at the tip slightly decurved, the ridge broad and flattened, the edges rather thick; nasal groove rather long and very narrow; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line slightly curved upwards, the point very slender, extremely thin, and a little curved upwards. Nostrils linear, basal. Head small, rounded above, rather compressed; neck long; body compact. Legs very long, slender; tibia bare for half its length, and reticulated; tarsus very long, compressed, reticulated with hexagonal scales; toes rather short, the first extremely small; outer toe a little longer than inner; anterior toes connected by webs of which the anterior margin is deeply concave. Claws very small,compressed, rather acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, pointed, the first quill longest; inner secondaries elongated and tapering. Tail short, even, of twelve rather narrow rounded feathers. Tongue short in proportion to the length of the bill, slender, tapering to a point; œsophagus wide, considerably dilated at the lower part of the neck; stomach an oblong gizzard of moderate strength, its epithelium hard, longitudinally rugous; intestine long and of moderate width; cœca rather long.

355. 1. Recurvirostra Americana,Linn.American Avocet.

Plate CCCXVIII.Adult, and Young in winter.

Bill black; feet light blue; head, neck, and fore part of breast reddish-buff, the parts around the base of the bill and the eye nearly white; back white, with a longitudinal band of brownish-black elongated feathers on each side; inner scapulars of the same colour, the outer and interior edge of the wing being white; wing brownish-black, with a broad band of white, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts, four of the inner secondaries, and the basal part, with the inner webs and outer edges of the rest; lower parts white.

Male, 18, 305/8.

Passes along the coast from Texas northward, in small numbers, a few breeding in New Jersey. Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Abundant in the Rocky Mountains, and the Fur Countries. Migratory.

American Avocet, Recurvirostra Americana,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 126.Recurvirostra Americana,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.Recurvirostra Americana, American Avocet,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 375.American Avocet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 74.American Avocet, Recurvirostra Americana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 168.

American Avocet, Recurvirostra Americana,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 126.

Recurvirostra Americana,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.

Recurvirostra Americana, American Avocet,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 375.

American Avocet,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 74.

American Avocet, Recurvirostra Americana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 168.

GENUS IX. HIMANTOPUS,Briss.STILT.

Bill about twice as long as the head, very slender, roundish, tapering, slightly recurved; upper mandible with its outline slightly curved upwards, the ridge rather flattened, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip narrow and rather acute; nasal groove nearly half the length of the bill; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the sides grooved as far as the angle. Nostrils linear, direct, subbasal. Head small, ovate, rounded above; neckvery long and slender; body rather compact. Legs extremely elongated, slender; tibia bare for more than half its length, covered anteriorly with large curved scutella; tarsus very long, moderately compressed, scutellate before, reticulate on the sides; toes of moderate length, slender; first toe wanting; outer a little longer than inner, anterior toes webbed at the base. Claws small, nearly straight, moderately compressed. Plumage ordinary. Wings very long, of moderate breadth, acute, the first quill longest. Tail short, even, of twelve feathers.

356. 1. Himantopus nigricollis,Vieill.Black-necked Stilt.—Lawyer.

Plate CCCXXVIII.Male.

Bill black; feet lake-coloured; upper part of head, fore part and sides of neck, and all the lower parts, together with the hind part of the back, rump, and tail, white, the middle feathers of the latter tinged with ash-grey; hind neck, fore part of back, scapulars, wings, and lower wing-coverts, bluish-black, glossed with green. Young individuals have only the forehead white, and the back greyish-brown.

Male, 141/2, 27.Female, 14, 253/4.

Rather common in Texas during spring. Breeds on different parts of the Atlantic coast, as far as Long Island. A few spend the winter about the mouths of the Mississippi. Migratory.

Long-legged Avocet, Recurvirostra Himantopus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 48.Himantopus nigricollis,Bonap.Syn. p. 322.Black-necked Stilt,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 8.Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus nigricollis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 247.

Long-legged Avocet, Recurvirostra Himantopus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 48.

Himantopus nigricollis,Bonap.Syn. p. 322.

Black-necked Stilt,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 8.

Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus nigricollis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 247.

GENUS X. NUMENIUS,Briss.CURLEW.

Bill very long, slender, subcylindrical, slightly compressed, more or less arcuate or decurved; upper mandible with the ridge broad and flattened at the base, broad and rounded in the rest of its extent, a deep groove running from the nostrils to near the tip, which is decurved, enlarged so as to form an oblong obtuse knob, projecting beyond the point of the lower mandible, the edges rounded; lower mandible similar in its curvature to the upper, its angle extremely narrow, and extending to near the middle, the ridge rounded,the sides with a shallow groove to near the end, the edges directly meeting those of the upper, the tip obtuse. Head rather small, oblong, compressed; neck long; body compact. Feet long; tibia bare below; tarsus scaly above, scutellate for two-thirds; toes rather small, scutellate, first very small, lateral nearly equal. Claws small, compressed, blunted. Wings long, very acute, the first quill longest, some of the inner secondaries greatly elongated. Tail short, much rounded, of twelve rounded feathers.

357. 1. Numenius longirostris,Wils.Long-billed Curlew.

Plate CCXXXI.Male and Female.

Bill more than four times the length of the head, nearly straight to the middle, beyond which it is slightly decurved, deep brown, toward the base dark flesh-coloured; feet light greyish-blue; general ground colour of the plumage light yellowish-red; the head marked with oblong spots; the back with spots and bars of brownish-black; alula and outer web of first four quills deep brown, the rest of the quills of the general colour, barred on both webs with dark brown, as are the tail-feathers; upper part of throat and lower eyelid whitish; neck marked with longitudinal lines of brownish-black; sides barred with the same, as are the lower larger wing-coverts; the rest of the lower parts unspotted, the sides and lower wing-coverts of a richer yellowish-red than the rest. The bill varies from seven to nine inches.

Male, 26, 40.

Resident, and breeds in the Texas and on the Islands off South Carolina. Stragglers go far north. Columbia River. Occasionally seen in the interior.

Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 23.Numenius longirostris,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.Numenius longirostris, Long-billed Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 376.Long-billed Curlew,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 94.Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 240; v. v. p. 587.

Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 23.

Numenius longirostris,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.

Numenius longirostris, Long-billed Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 376.

Long-billed Curlew,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 94.

Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 240; v. v. p. 587.

358. 2. Numenius Hudsonicus,Lath.Hudsonian Curlew.

Plate CCXXXVII.Male.

Bill little more than twice the length of the head, brownish-black, base of lower mandible flesh-coloured; upper part of head deep brown, with a central and two lateral lines of whitish; a brown line from the bill to the eye, and another behind the latter; neck all round pale yellowish-grey, longitudinally streaked with brown, excepting theupper part of the throat, which is greyish-white; upper parts in general blackish-brown, marked with numerous spots of brownish-white, there being several along the margins of each feather; wings and rump somewhat lighter; upper tail-coverts and tail barred with dark brown and olivaceous grey; primaries and their coverts blackish-brown, all with transverse yellowish-grey markings on the inner web, the shaft of the first quill white, of the rest brown; breast and abdomen greyish-white, the sides tinged with cream-colour and barred with greyish-brown.

Male, 18, 33.

Passes from Texas northward, returning in autumn. Abundant in the middle districts at both periods. Breeds at Hudson's Bay, and farther north.

Esquimaux Curlew, Scolopax borealis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 92.Numenius hudsonicus,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.Numenius hudsonicus, Hudsonian Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 377.Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius hudsonicus,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 97.Hudsonian Curlew, Numenius hudsonicus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 283; v. v. p. 589.

Esquimaux Curlew, Scolopax borealis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 92.

Numenius hudsonicus,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.

Numenius hudsonicus, Hudsonian Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 377.

Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius hudsonicus,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 97.

Hudsonian Curlew, Numenius hudsonicus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 283; v. v. p. 589.

359. 3. Numenius borealis,Lath.Esquimaux Curlew.

Plate CCVIII.Male and Female.

Bill half as long again as the head, slender, brownish-black, the lower mandible flesh-coloured at the base; upper part of head brownish-black, streaked with pale yellowish-brown, and having an indistinct central and two lateral lines of whitish; upper parts brownish-black, marked with numerous spots of light brownish-yellow, there being several along the margin of each feather; wing-coverts and secondaries of a lighter tint, similarly spotted; alula, primary quills, and coverts, dark brown, the shaft of the first quill white, of the rest brown; inner webs not barred as inN. Hudsonicus; tail barred with light greyish-brown and dark brown; sides of head and neck all round pale yellowish-grey, striped with dark brown; breast and sides greyish-yellow, with longitudinal and transverse dark markings; lower wing-coverts and tail-coverts similarly barred, axillars of a rufous buffy tint, regularly banded.

Male, 141/2, 273/8.

Passes in spring from Texas along the coast eastward to the Fur Countries, returning in autumn. Abundant at times in the Middle Atlantic Districts. Rarely seen in the interior. Breeds in the northern barren grounds.

Numenius borealis,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.Numenius borealis, Esquimaux Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 378.Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 101.Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 69; v. v. p. 590.

Numenius borealis,Bonap.Syn. p. 314.

Numenius borealis, Esquimaux Curlew,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 378.

Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 101.

Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 69; v. v. p. 590.

FAMILY XXXVII. TANTALINÆ. IBISES.

Bill very long, arcuate, rather stout at the base, obtuse. Nostrils basal, linear or oblong. Head bare in front, rather large or of moderate size; neck long and slender; body ovate. Legs long and rather stout; tibia bare to a large extent; tarsus reticulate, sometimes scaly in front; toes four, articulated on the same level, the anterior webbed at the base, the first more slender. Claws arched, compressed, rather obtuse. Wings long and very broad, with the second quill longest. Tail short, of twelve feathers. Tongue triangular, extremely short, flat, and thin. Œsophagus wide; stomach large, muscular, broadly elliptical, with the epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous; intestines generally of moderate length and width, cœca very small; cloaca globular. Trachea without inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. IBIS,Cuv.IBIS.

Bill very long, slender, higher than broad, compressed, tapering, arched, obtuse; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched in its whole length, the ridge convex, broader towards the end, the sides at the base erect, towards the end very convex and narrow, separated in their whole length from the ridge by a deep narrow groove, the edges inflected and sharp; lower mandible more slender, its angle very narrow, and protracted in the form of a groove to the tip. Nostrils basal, dorsal, linear. Head small, compressed, oblong, bare before the eyes; neck long and slender; body rather slender. Feet very long, slender; tarsi scutellate; anterior toes connected by membranes at the base. Claws rather small, slightly arched, pointed. Wings long, ample, with the second quill longest. Tail short, nearly even, of twelve feathers. Œsophagus wide, like that of a heron; stomach muscular.

360. 1. Ibis Falcinellus,Linn.Glossy Ibis.

Plate CCCLXXXVII.

Bill black, bare part of head greyish-blue, feet greyish-black; upper part and sides of head dark glossy green, with purplish reflections; neck, part of the back anteriorly, breast, abdomen, and tibiæ, deep rich brownish-red or dark chestnut; part of the breast shaded with green, the sides dusky, tinged with green, as are the lower wing-coverts and lower tail-coverts; except the anterior edge of the wing, and the anterior scapulars, which are deep brownish-red, the upper parts splendent dark green, glossed with purple; primaries black, shaded with green; tail glossy, with purple reflection. Young, in its second plumage, with the head, neck, and lower parts greyish-brown, the head and greater part of the neck marked with small longitudinal streaks of white, of which there are two on each feather; all the upper parts blackish-green, glossy in a less degree than those of the adult.

Male, 25, 42; wing, 111/4.

Rare or accidental in the Middle Atlantic Districts; more common in South Florida and Texas, where it breeds. Rarely seen far inland. Migratory.

Ibis Falcinellus,Bonap.Syn. p. 312.Bay or Glossy Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 88.Glossy Ibis, Ibis Falcinellus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 608.

Ibis Falcinellus,Bonap.Syn. p. 312.

Bay or Glossy Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 88.

Glossy Ibis, Ibis Falcinellus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 608.

361. 2. Ibis rubra,Linn.Scarlet Ibis.

Plate CCCXCVII.Adult Male and Young.

Bill, feet, and bare parts of head, pale lake; plumage bright scarlet, excepting the quills, which are white, and the terminal portion of the outer four primaries, which are bluish-black. Young in first plumage with the bill and feet brownish-grey, the bare parts of the head pale flesh-colour; plumage of head, neck, and upper parts, brownish-grey, of lower, white.

Adult, 29; wing, 111/4.

Accidental. Three specimens seen by me in Louisiana.

Scarlet Ibis, Tantalus ruber,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 41.Ibis rubra,Bonap.Syn. p. 311.Scarlet Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 84.Scarlet Ibis, Ibis rubra,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 62.

Scarlet Ibis, Tantalus ruber,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 41.

Ibis rubra,Bonap.Syn. p. 311.

Scarlet Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 84.

Scarlet Ibis, Ibis rubra,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 62.

362. 3. Ibis alba,Linn.White Ibis.

Plate CCXXII.Adult and Young.

Bill and bare parts of the head light orange-red, feet paler; plumage pure white, excepting the ends of from three to five of the outer primaries, which are deep black, glossed with blue and green. Youngwith the bill greyish-yellow, the feet leaden-coloured, the plumage dull brown all over, excepting the rump, which is whitish, and the tail, which is tinged with grey. Young after first moult with the bill pale yellow, the feet pale blue; the plumage dull olivaceous brown, the quills dark, the tail lighter, the hind part of the back white, as are the breast and abdomen.

Adult, 241/2, 40.

Constant resident in South Florida, where it is abundant. Breeds along the coast to Texas, westward, and occasionally as far as New Jersey eastward, inland as far up the Mississippi as Natchez and Red River. Returns to the Floridas in autumn.

White Ibis, Tantalus albus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 43.Ibis alba,Bonap.Syn. p. 312.White Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 86.White Ibis, Ibis alba,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 173; v. v. p. 593.

White Ibis, Tantalus albus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 43.

Ibis alba,Bonap.Syn. p. 312.

White Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 86.

White Ibis, Ibis alba,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 173; v. v. p. 593.

GENUS II. TANTALUS,Linn.TANTALUS.

Bill long, stout, at the base as wide as the face, deeper than broad, compressed, tapering towards the end, which is decurved; upper mandible with the ridge rather broad and flattened at the base, narrowed at the middle, convex towards the end, the sides sloping at the base, convex toward the end, the edges inflected and sharp, the tip declinate, rounded, with a notch on each side; nostrils basal, close to the ridge, direct, oblong; lower mandible with the angle rather wide, with a bare dilatable membrane, the edges erect and sharp, the tip blunted. Head of ordinary size, and with part of the hind neck bare and scurfy. Feet very long, like those of the Herons; tibia and tarsus reticulate; hind toe rather large, third longest; claws small, arched, that of the third toe not serrate. Wings long, ample, with the third quill longest. Tail of twelve broad rounded feathers.

363. 1. Tantalus Loculator,Linn.Wood Ibis.

Plate CCXVI.Male.

Head all round, and hind neck half-way down, destitute of feathers, the skin wrinkled and covered with irregular scurfy scales; bill duskyyellowish-brown, sides of head dark bluish-purple, upper part of head horn-colour; legs indigo-blue; toes yellowish, with the scutella black; plumage white, tinged with yellow; alula, primary coverts, primary and secondary quills, excepting the inner, and tail, black, with green and purplish-blue reflections. Young dusky grey all over, the quills and tail brown and black, the head covered with down.

Male, 441/2, 62; bill, 9.

Resident from Texas to North Carolina, in deep woody swamps; or fresh-water lakes, not on the sea-shores; breeds on trees in swamps; moves in large flocks. Up the Mississippi to Natchez. Abundant in Florida and Lower Louisiana.

Wood Ibis, Tantalus Loculator,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 39.Tantalus Loculator,Bonap.Syn. p. 310.Wood Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 82.Wood Ibis, Tantalus Loculator,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 128.

Wood Ibis, Tantalus Loculator,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 39.

Tantalus Loculator,Bonap.Syn. p. 310.

Wood Ibis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 82.

Wood Ibis, Tantalus Loculator,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 128.

GENUS III. PLATALEA,Linn.SPOONBILL.

Bill very long, excessively depressed, being, when viewed laterally, very slender; but, when seen from above, nearly as broad as the head at the base, considerably contracted in the middle, and at the end expanded into a large obovate disk much broader than the head; upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, at the tip decurved, the ridge extremely broad and flat, gradually widening beyond the nostrils, at the end terminated by the very small, decurved, blunt unguis, the sides declinate at the base, horizontally flattened towards the end, separated in their whole length from the ridge by a narrow groove, their margins soft and blunt; lower mandible with the angle very long, narrow, rounded, the coma narrow, and gradually flattened, the extremity expanded into a flattened disk, as in the upper; both mandibles covered with soft skin, which, for half their length, is rough, with roundish plates, having their anterior margin somewhat prominent. Nostrils basal, oblong-linear, of moderate size. Head of moderate size, flattened above; neck long and slender; body compact, ovate; legs long and rather stout; tibia bare in its lower half, and reticulate; tarsus rather long, stout, roundish, covered all round with subhexagonal scales; toes ratherlong, moderately stout, scutellate, at the base reticulate; first more slender, articulated at the same level, second considerably shorter than third. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, rather obtuse. Head, gular sac, and a small part of neck, destitute of feathers. Wings long and very broad, the second quill longest. Tail short, even, of twelve rather broad feathers. Tongue extremely small, broader than long; gular sac dilatable; œsophagus wide, with a dilatation at the lower part of the neck; proventriculus bulbiform; stomach a powerful gizzard, roundish, with large muscular fasciculi not disposed into distinct muscles, the epithelium very thick, longitudinally fissured; intestine very long, of moderate width; cœca two slight knobs.

364. 1. Platalea Ajaja,Linn.Roseate Spoonbill.

Plate CCCXXI.Male.

Bill greyish-blue, at the base mottled with dusky; feet pale lake; head yellowish-green; space around the eye and gular sac orpiment-orange; a band of black from the lower mandible to the occiput; feathers of the neck white; back and wings rose-coloured; lower parts of a deeper colour; tuft of recurved feathers on fore neck, a broad band across the wing, along the cubitus, and the upper and lower tail-coverts, rich carmine, with silky lustre; shafts of quills and scapulars light carmine; on each side of the lower part of the neck a patch of pale ochre; tail-feathers ochre-yellow, but at the base roseate.

Male, 303/4, 53.Female, 28, 48.

Constant resident in the Texas, South Florida, and as far eastward as North Carolina, where it is however very rare. Occasionally in summer up the Mississippi to Natchez. Breeds in flocks on trees, low bushes, or cactuses.

Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea Ajaja,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 123.Platalea Ajaja,Bonap.Syn. p. 346.Roseate Spoonbill,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 79.Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea Ajaja,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 188.

Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea Ajaja,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 123.

Platalea Ajaja,Bonap.Syn. p. 346.

Roseate Spoonbill,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 79.

Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea Ajaja,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 188.

FAMILY XXXVIII. ARDEINÆ. HERONS.

Bill longer than the head, stout, tapering, compressed, pointed, its edges often irregularly serrate. Head oblong, compressed; neck very long; body much compressed. Eyes large or moderate. Nostrils basal, linear, longitudinal. Legs long, rather slender; tibia bare to a great extent; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate; toes rather long, the first on the same place, of moderate size, the outer toe a little longer than the inner, and with a slight web at the base; all compressed and scutellate. Claws rather long, arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe larger and more curved. Plumage blended. Wings long, very broad, with the outer four quills longest, secondaries very long. Tail very short, nearly even, of twelve rather weak feathers. Œsophagus very wide, without dilatation; stomach small, very thin, with the inner coat soft and smooth; intestine very long and extremely narrow; no cœcal appendages, but the large intestine forming a small sac at its commencement; cloaca very large, globular. Trachea simple, generally cylindrical, with the bronchi wide, and a single pair of slender inferior laryngeal muscles. Nests large, flat, widely constructed, placed on trees, bushes, sometimes on the ground; eggs from three to four, oval, light blue. Young remain in the nest until fledged.

GENUS I. ARDEA,Linn.HERON.

* Night Herons. Bill slightly longer than the head, stout, tapering, compressed, with the upper outline somewhat curved; legs of moderate length, bare part of tibia short; neck thick; body full; feathers of the neck elongated and curved backwards.

365. 1. Ardea Nycticorax,Linn.Black-crowned Night Heron.—Qua-Bird.

Plate CCXXXVI.Adult and Young.

Male with the feathers of the upper and hind part of the head elongatedand loose, three or four very long linear, incurved occipital feathers, not present in winter; upper part of the head and back glossy blackish-green; anterior part of forehead and elongated occipital feathers white; neck anteriorly yellowish-white, on the sides and behind shaded into pale lilac, the lower elongated feathers tinged with cream-colour; breast and abdomen white; wings, rump, and tail light greenish-blue, tinged with lilac. Female similar. Young, when fledged, with the upper parts pale purplish-brown, streaked and spotted with yellowish-white; lower parts yellowish-white, streaked with light purplish-brown. Young after first moult purplish-brown, tinged with grey above, brownish-white beneath, the upper part of the head dull greenish-black.

Male, 257/12, 44.

Resident in the Floridas and Texas, where it breeds. Migrates in spring eastward as far as Maine, up the Mississippi to Memphis. Occurs one hundred miles inland. Rather common. Returns southward early in autumn.

Night Heron or Qua-Bird, Ardea Nycticorax,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 3.Ardea Nycticorax,Bonap.Syn. p. 306.Qua-Bird or American Night Heron, Ardea discors,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 54.Night Heron, Ardea Nycticorax,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 275; v. v. p. 600.

Night Heron or Qua-Bird, Ardea Nycticorax,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 3.

Ardea Nycticorax,Bonap.Syn. p. 306.

Qua-Bird or American Night Heron, Ardea discors,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 54.

Night Heron, Ardea Nycticorax,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 275; v. v. p. 600.

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