Chapter XLV: Colymbinæ. Divers and Grebes, 351 (9)

A decurved crest of narrow feathers; a bare space on each side of the neck capable of being inflated; tail short, much graduated, of sixteen feathers, all of which are more or less concave, excepting the two middle ones along the inner edge, obliquely and abruptly terminated, the two middle projecting an inch beyond the next. Upper parts variegated with light yellowish-red, brownish-black, and white, the latter in terminal triangular, or guttiform spots on the scapulars and wing-coverts; quills greyish-brown, primaries with white spots on the outer web, secondaries tipped and barred with white; tail white, at the base variegated, the two middle feathers like the back; loral space, and a band behind the eye yellowish-white, a dusky streak under the eye; throat reddish-white, with dusky spots; fore parts and sides of neck barred with dusky and reddish-white; on the breast the dusky spots become first curved, and then arrow-shaped; and so continue narrowing on the hind part of the breast and part of the sides, of which the upper portion is barred; abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and axillars, white; tarsal feathers light brownish-grey, faintly barred with whitish. Female smaller, but similar to the male, with the tints duller.

_Male_, 17-1/2, 23.

Missouri, Lat. 41°, to Slave Lake, Lat. 61°. Rocky Mountains. Abundant on the Saskatchewan Plains. Accidental in the northern parts of Illinois. Resident.

Tetrao Phasianellus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. iii. p. 37.

Tetrao Phasianellus, Bonap. Syn. p. 127.

Tetrao (Centrocercus) Phasianellus, Sharp-tailed Grouse,
Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 361.

Sharp-tailed Grouse. Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 669.

Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tetrao Phasianellus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v.
iv. p. 569.

GENUS II. LAGOPUS. PTARMIGAN.

Bill short, robust; upper mandible with its dorsal outline decurved, the ridge indistinct and rounded, the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip declinate, thin-edged, rounded; lower mandible, with the angle of moderate length and rounded, the dorsal line convex, the sides rounded, the edges a little inclinate, the tip rounded; nasal sinuses large and covered with feathers, leaving the ridge narrow between them. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head small, ovate; neck rather long; body bulky. Feet rather short, stout; tarsus feathered, as are the toes, which have two or three terminal scutella; hind toe extremely short, lateral toes equal. Claws slightly arched, depressed, thin-edged, rounded. Plumage full and compact, the feathers rounded. Wings short, convex, the primaries strong, narrow, tapering, the third longest, the fourth and second little shorter. Tail short, nearly even, of more than twelve broad feathers.

301. 1. Lagopus albus, Gmel. Willow Ptarmigan.--Willow-Grouse.

Plate CXCI. Male, Female, and Young.

Bill very thick, convex, with a strong ridge on each side of the lower mandible; claws (when entire) elongated, arched with the sides sloping, edges thin and nearly parallel, the tip rounded; tail short, slightly rounded, of fourteen feathers, independently of the long incumbent coverts. Bill black, claws dusky at the base, yellowish-grey on the edges and tip. In winter, the plumage white, excepting the shafts of the primaries, which are brown, and the tail-feathers, which are black, narrowly tipped with white, and with the base of the same colour. In summer, the male with the head and neck bright chestnut, more or less variegated with dusky; the upper parts and sides having the feathers brownish-black, transversely barred with reddish-yellow, and narrowly tipped with white; the quills and larger coverts, with most of the smaller, middle of breast, abdomen, and feet, white; tail as in winter, the middle incumbent feather like the back. Female similar, with the markings larger, the breast and abdomen coloured like the sides, the head and neck without chestnut. Young, when in down, of a yellowish tint, variegated above with large streaks of dark brown, the top of the head with a longitudinal patch of brown, edged with black. When fledged, the young resemble the female.

_Male_, 17, 26-1/2. _Female_, 16, 26.

In Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, during winter. Breeds plentifully in Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Fur Countries. Rocky Mountains.

Tetrao (Lagopus) saliceti, Willow Grouse, Swains. & Rich. F.
Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 351.

Willow Grouse or Large Ptarmigan. Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 674.

Willow Grouse, Tetrao saliceti, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 528.

302. 2. Lagopus Americanus, Aud. American Ptarmigan.

Not figured.

Bill much narrower, with the ridge on each side of the lower mandible obsolete; claws (when entire) elongated, arched, with the sides sloping, the edges thin and nearly parallel, the tip round; tail short, even, of fourteen feathers, independently of the long incumbent coverts. In winter, the plumage white, excepting the shafts of the primaries, which are brown, and the tail-feathers, which are black, narrowly tipped with white; male with a black loral band, extending beyond the eye. In summer, the general colour of the upper parts, fore neck, and sides, reddish-yellow, finely undulated transversely with blackish-brown, and greyish-white; the bars on the head and neck larger; the two long incumbent tail-feathers similar to those of the back; the rest brownish-black, tipped with white; little white on the lower parts, and only in patches, some greyish-white undulations occasionally seen, tend to approximate the colouring to that of some specimens of _Lagopus mutus_ of Scotland, but the prevailing tint is not grey, as in that species, but brownish-yellow. Young similar to the adult, with the bands larger; the fore part of the wings, the primaries, secondary coverts, and abdomen, white.

_Male_, 14-3/4, wing, 8-1/4.

Melville Island. Churchill River.

Tetrao lagopus, Sabine, Richardson, &c.

Tetrao (Lagopus) mutus, Ptarmigan, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 350.

Common Ptarmigan, Tetrao mutus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 196.

303. 3. Lagopus rupestris, Gmel. Rock Ptarmigan.

Plate CCCLXVIII. Male and Female. Plate CCCCXVIII. Fig. 1.

Bill very short, thick, convex (stronger than that of _L. americanus_), with the ridges on the lower mandible faint; claws elongated, arched, with the sides sloping, the edges thin and nearly parallel, the tip narrowed, (broader than in _L. albus_). Tail short, slightly rounded, of fourteen feathers, independently of the long incumbent coverts. Bill black, claws dusky, with the edges and tip inclining to yellowish-grey. In winter, the plumage white, excepting the shafts of the primaries, which are brownish-black, and the tail-feathers, which are black, narrowly tipped with white, and with the base of the same colour. In summer, the plumage variegated with black, reddish-yellow, and white; the feathers being chiefly of the first colour, transversely and irregularly banded with reddish-yellow, and terminally margined with white; lower parts more broadly and regularly barred with brownish-black and light reddish-yellow; edge of wing, alula, primary coverts, nearly all the secondary coverts, primaries, and outer secondaries white, as are the lower surface of the wing, the axillars, and some of the feathers on the abdomen, as well as those on the feet, the latter tinged with yellowish; shafts of primaries brownish-black; tail as in winter, but with the lateral feather white on a great part of the outer web. Female similar, with the bands broader.

_Male_, 13-1/2, wing, 7-10/12.

Breeds from Labrador to the Arctic Seas. Rocky Mountains. Abundant. Migratory.

Tetrao (Lagopus) rupestris, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v.
ii. p. 354.

Rock Grouse, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 610.

Rock Grouse, Tetrao rupestris, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 483.

304. 4. Lagopus leucurus, Swains. White-tailed Ptarmigan.

Plate CCCCXVIII. Adult in winter.

Claws slightly arched, depressed, broad, thin-edged, rather pointed; tail rather short, slightly rounded, of fourteen feathers. Plumage in winter entirely pure white. In summer, the head and neck barred with blackish-brown and brownish-white; upper parts blackish-brown, barred with reddish-yellow; breast, belly, and sides pale reddish-yellow, broadly barred with blackish-brown; tail white.

Tetrao (Lagopus) leucurus, White-tailed Grouse, Swains. &
Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii, p. 356.

White-tailed Grouse, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 612.

White-tailed Grouse, Tetrao leucurus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p.
200.

FAMILY XXXIII. RALLINÆ. RAILS.

Bill moderately stout, or slender, short or elongated, compressed, with the point narrow, but obtuse. Head small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body large, much compressed. Feet large; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus stout, compressed, with very broad anterior scutella; toes very long, scutellate, marginate; hind toe rather short. Claws long, little arched, compressed, acute. Plumage blended, but stiffish. Wings short, convex, rounded, tail very short, rounded. Tongue slender, channelled above, tapering to a bristly point; œsophagus long, rather narrow; proventriculus bulbiform; stomach roundish, compressed, very muscular, with the lateral and inferior muscles prominent, the epithelium dense, with two flattish grinding surfaces; intestine long, of moderate width; cœca long, narrowed toward the base; cloaca globular. Trachea simple, flattened, with a pair of slender inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest bulky, and rudely constructed, on the ground, or supported by grass, or on trees. Eggs numerous, oblong. Young covered with stiffish black down.

GENUS I. GALLINULA, Briss. GALLINULE.

Bill as long as the head, nearly straight, stout, deep, compressed, tapering; upper mandible with a soft ovate or oblong tumid plate at the base, extending over the forehead, the dorsal line beyond this slightly declinate, toward the tip arcuate, the ridge gradually narrowed to the middle, then slightly enlarged, the sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, the notches obsolete, the tip rather obtuse; nasal sinus extending nearly to the middle; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending, nearly straight, the sides nearly erect, the tip narrow. Nostrils submedial, lateral, oblong, direct. Head small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body large, much compressed. Feet large; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus stout, of moderate length, compressed, with very broad anterior scutella; hind toe rather small and slender; anterior toes very long, fourth longer than second, third considerably longer, all scutellate. Claws very long, slender, slightly arched, much compressed, tapering to a very acute point. Plumage blended, form and wings of moderate length, broad, convex, with the second and third quills longest; tail very short, much rounded, of twelve weak feathers; lower coverts almost as long.

305. 1. Gallinula Martinica, Linn. Purple Gallinule.

Plate CCCV. Male.

Frontal plate blue; bill carmine, tipped with yellow; head, fore part of neck, and breast, purplish-blue; abdomen and tibial feathers dusky; sides and lower wing-coverts green; lower tail-coverts white; upper parts olivaceous green; sides of neck, and outer part of wings greenish-blue.

_Male_, 13-1/2, 21-1/2.

Breeds and resides from Texas to South Carolina. Stragglers seen as far as Massachusetts. Up the Mississippi to Memphis. Rather common in Louisiana and Florida.

Purple Gallinule, Gallinula Porphyrio, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ix.
p. 67.

Gallinula martinica, Bonap. Syn. p. 336.

Purple Gallinule, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 221.

Purple Gallinule, Gallinula martinica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv.
p. 37.

306. 2. Gallinula Chloropus, Linn. Common Gallinule.

Plate CCXLIV.

Frontal plate, eyes, ring on tibiæ, and bill carmine, the latter tipped with yellow; head, neck, and lower parts, greyish-black; abdomen greyish-yellow; lower tail-coverts and some streaks on the sides, with the edge of the wing, and the outer web of the first quill white; upper parts brownish-olive; quills and tail dusky. Female similar, with the frontal plate small. Young similar, but with the bill dull green, and the breast faintly barred with whitish.

_Male_, 14, 22.

From Texas to South Carolina, common, and resident. Stragglers are seen as far as Massachusetts. Abundant in Louisiana and Florida. Up the Mississippi to Natchez. Fresh water.

Gallinula galeata, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 128.

Florida Gallinule, Gallinula galeata, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p.
223.

Common Gallinule, Gallinula Chloropus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii.
p. 330.

GENUS II. FULICA, Linn. COOT.

Bill as long as the head, nearly straight, stout, deep, compressed, tapering; upper mandible with a soft ovate or oblong tumid plate at the base, extending over the forehead, the dorsal line declinate, toward the tip arcuate, the ridge narrowed to the middle, then slightly enlarged, the sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, the notches obsolete, the tip rather obtuse; nasal sinus extending nearly to the middle; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending, nearly straight, the sides nearly erect, the tip narrow. Nostrils submedial, lateral, linear, direct. Head small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length, slender; body full, compressed. Feet large; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus stout, of moderate length, compressed, with very broad anterior scutella; hind toe rather small and slender; anterior toes very long, their margins dilated into flat lobes, the hind toe with a single inferior lobe. Claws of moderate length, slightly arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage, blended, soft. Wings short, broad, convex, with the second quill longest. Tail very short, much rounded, of twelve weak feathers; lower coverts nearly as long. Gizzard extremely muscular; cœca very long, being a fifth part of the length of the intestine.

307. 1. Fulica Americana, Gmel. American Coot.--Mud-Hen.

Plate CCXXXIX.

Frontal plate and bill white, the latter dusky toward the end; head and neck greyish-black, upper parts deep bluish-grey, with an olivaceous tinge on the scapulars and inner secondaries; quills greyish-brown, tail brownish-black; breast and abdomen dull bluish-grey, lighter behind; edge of wing, outer margin of first quill, tips of outer secondaries, and lower tail-coverts white. Female of a lighter tint, with the frontal plate smaller.

_Male_, 13-10/12, 25.

From Texas to the northern parts of Maine. Exceedingly abundant in Louisiana and the Floridas, during winter and spring, where some remain to breed. The greater number breed in Maine and New Brunswick, as well as along the Great Lakes. Rare in the Middle Atlantic districts. Columbia River.

Common Coot, Fulica atra, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 61.

Fulica americana, Bonap. Syn. p. 338.

Cinereous Coot, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 229.

American Coot, Fulica americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
291; v. v. p. 568.

GENUS III. ORTYGOMETRA, Leach. CRAKE-GALLINULE.

Bill shorter than the head, rather stout, deep, compressed, tapering; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being slightly convex toward the end, the ridge flattish for a short space at the base, very slightly extended on the forehead, narrow in the rest of its extent, the sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, with a slight sinus close to the rather obtuse tip; nasal groove broad and extending to two-thirds; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending, nearly straight, the sides erect, the tip narrowed. Nostrils linear, lateral, submedial. Head rather small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body rather slender, much compressed. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare below; tarsus of ordinary length, compressed, with broad anterior scutella; hind toe short and slender, anterior toes very long, compressed, scutella, the outer slightly longer than the inner. Claws of moderate length, slender, extremely compressed, tapering to a fine point. Plumage rather stiff, but blended; feathers of the forehead with the shaft enlarged. Wings short and broad, somewhat convex, the second quill longest. Tail extremely short, much rounded, of twelve weak feathers. Digestive organs as in Gallinula.

308. 1. Ortygometra Carolinus, Linn. Carolina Crake-Gallinule.--Sora Rail.

Plate CCXXXIII. Male, Female, and Young.

Upper parts olive-brown, the feathers brownish-black in the centre, those on the back with two marginal lines of white; a broad band surrounding the base of the bill, the central part of the crown, the chin, and the middle of the fore neck in its whole length, brownish-black; a band over the eye, cheeks, and sides of neck ash-grey; middle of breast and abdomen greyish-white; sides olivaceous, barred with brownish-black and white; lower tail-coverts chiefly white, the feathers over them reddish-yellow. Female similar, but duller. Young like the female, but without black on the head or throat.

_Male_, 9-3/4, 14.

Passes across the United States, both by the interior and along the coast. Some breed in New Jersey. Rarely seen east of Massachusetts. Extremely abundant in autumn on the Delaware, and other streams or lakes furnished with wild oats. A few reside in Florida and Louisiana in winter.

Rail, Rallus carolinus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vi. p. 24.

Rallus carolinus, Bonap. Syn. p. 334.

Carolina Rail, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 208.

Sora Rail, Rallus carolinus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 251;
v. v. p. 572.

309. 2. Ortygometra Noveboracensis, Lath. Yellow-breasted Crake-Gallinule.--Yellow-breasted Rail.

Upper parts and sides brownish-black, longitudinally streaked with yellow, and transversely barred with white; a broad band of reddish-yellow over the eye; loral space and a short band behind the eye blackish-brown, fore part of neck and breast light reddish-yellow, each feather terminally margined with brown; axillaries, lower wing-coverts, and middle of abdomen, white; lower tail-coverts brownish-red, with faint whitish dots.

_Male_, 7-3/4, 12-1/4.

Common in Lower Louisiana and Florida, where it breeds. Stragglers go as far as Hudson's Bay. Occasionally met with far in the interior. Prefers fresh water.

Rallus noveboracensis, Bonap. Syn. p. 335.

Rallus noveboracensis, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. iv. p. 136.

Yellow-breasted Rail, Rallus noveboracensis, Swains. & Rich.
F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 402.

Yellow-breasted Rail, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 402.

Yellow-breasted Rail, Rallus noveboracensis. Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. iv. p. 25.

310. 3. Ortygometra Jamaicensis, Briss. Least Crake-Gallinule.

Plate CCCXLIX. Adult and Young.

Head and lower parts dark purplish-grey, approaching to black, the sides and lower wing-coverts and abdomen, barred with greyish-white; hind neck and fore part of back dark chestnut; the rest of the upper parts greyish-black tinged with brown, and transversely barred with white; the wings inclining to reddish-brown.

_Male_, 6, wing, 3-7/8.

From Louisiana to New Jersey, in fresh-water meadows and marshes, difficult of access. Migratory.

Rallus jamaicensis, Briss. Suppl. p. 140.

Least Water Rail, Rallus jamaicensis. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv.
p. 359.

GENUS IV. RALLUS, Linn. RAIL.

Bill much longer than the head, slender, compressed, very slightly decurved, high at the base; upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, until towards the end, where it is slightly curved, the ridge a little flattened at the base, and extending slightly on the forehead, convex toward the end, nasal sinus forming a groove extending to two-thirds, the sides nearly erect, the edges slightly inflected, the notches very slight, the tip rather obtuse; lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line almost straight, the sides erect and a little convex, the edges involute, the tip narrowed but obtuse. Nostrils lateral, subbasal, linear. Head, small, oblong, much compressed; neck long and slender; body slender, much compressed. Feet long; tibia, bare below; tarsus rather long, stout, compressed anteriorly covered with broad scutella; hind toe very small and tender, fourth little longer than second, anterior toes very long, scutellate, compressed. Claws of moderate length, arched, slender, much compressed, acute. Plumage rather stiff; feathers of the forehead with the shaft enlarged, and extended beyond the tip. Wings very short and broad; third quill longest. Tail very short, much rounded, of twelve feeble rounded feathers, scarcely longer than the coverts.

311. 1. Rallus elegans, Aud. Great Red-breasted Rail.--Fresh-water Marsh-Hen.

Plate CCIII. Male and Young.

Upper part of head and hind neck dull brown; a brownish-orange line over the eye; lower eyelid white; loral space and band behind the eye dusky; upper parts of the body streaked with brownish-black and light olive-brown, the two sides of each feather being of the latter colour; wing-coverts dull chestnut; most of the irregularly tipped with white primaries deep olive-brown; secondaries and tail-feathers like the back; sides and fore part of neck, with the breast, bright orange-brown; sides of the body and lower wing-coverts undulated with deep brown and greyish-white; tibial feathers pale greyish-brown, faintly barred with darker, as is the hind part of the abdomen; lower tail-coverts white, each with a blackish-brown spot near the end, those in the middle barred with black and white. Female and young similar, but with the tints duller. Iris bright red.

_Male_, 19, 25. _Female_, 18, 24.

From Texas to New Jersey, more common from Louisiana to North Carolina. Inland swamps and marshes. Once met with in Kentucky.

Great Red-breasted Rail, Rallus elegans, Aud. Orn. Biog. v.
iii. p. 27.

312. 2. Rallus crepitans, Gmel. Clapper Rail.--Salt-water Marsh-hen.

Plate CCIV. Male and Female.

Upper part of head and hind neck olivaceous brown; a brownish-orange line from the bill to the eye; lower eyelid white; loral space, cheeks, and part of the sides of the neck bluish-grey; upper parts of the body streaked with greenish-olive and light grey, the two sides of each feather being of the latter colour; wing-coverts dull olive, tinged with grey, some of them with slight irregular whitish markings; primaries olive-brown, secondaries and tail-feathers like the back; upper part of throat yellowish-white, edged on either side with pale yellowish-brown; sides and fore part of neck bluish-grey, tinged with pale yellowish-brown; the fore part of the breast of the latter colour; lower wing-coverts, sides, hind part of abdomen, and middle lower tail-coverts undulated with deep greyish-brown and greyish-white; lateral tail-coverts with the outer webs white; tibial feathers similarly barred, but paler; middle of abdomen greyish-white; iris pale yellow. Female with the tints duller.

_Male_, 15, 20-3/4. _Female_, 14, 19-1/4.

Exceedingly abundant from Texas to New Jersey, breeding in all salt-water marshes. Few proceed eastward beyond Long Island. Constantly resident from the Carolinas southward. Not inland.

Clapper Rail, Rallus crepitans, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p.
112; but not the figure, which is that of R. elegans.

Clapper Rail, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 201.

Clapper Rail or Salt-water Marsh-Hen, Rallus crepitans, Aud.
Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 33; v. v. p. 570.

313. 3. Rallus Virginianus, Linn. Virginian Rail.

Plate CCV. Male, Female, and Young.

Upper parts deep brownish-black, streaked with live olive-brown; sides of the head dull bluish-grey, loral space of a deeper tint; a brownish-orange line to the eye; quills and primary coverts; blackish-brown; smaller coverts dark chestnut; throat reddish-white; fore neck and breast bright orange-brown, approaching to yellowish-red; sides, abdomen, and lower wing-coverts barred with brownish-black and white, the bands of the latter narrower; tibial feathers dusky anteriorly, light reddish behind; lower tail-coverts with a central brownish-black spot, their edges white, the tips pale reddish. Female and young similar, but with somewhat duller tints.

_Male_, 10-1/2, 14-1/4. _Female_, 9-1/4.

Distributed through the country, and along the Atlantic shores, from Texas to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; breeding in all the districts. Frequents fresh and salt water. Returns southward in autumn, when great numbers spend the winter from Carolina to Louisiana.

Virginian Rail, Rallus virginianus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii.
p. 109.

Rallus virginianus, Bonap. Syn. p. 334.

Lesser Clapper Rail, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 205.

Virginian Rail, Rallus virginianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
41; v. v. p. 573.

GENUS V. ARAMUS, Vieill. COURLAN.

Bill long, being double the length of the head, rather slender, but strong, much compressed, straight, its breadth less before the nostrils, than towards the point; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight until towards the end, then slightly arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex in its whole length, the sides nearly erect, more convex toward the extremity, the tip blunted, the edges broad and obtuse for half their length, sharp but thick in the rest of their extent; lower mandible slightly ascending at the base, then direct, much compressed toward the tip, which is acute, the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line slightly convex, the edges obtuse, becoming sharp towards the end; nasal groove nearly half the length of the bill. Nostrils direct, linear, long. Head rather small, oblong, compressed; neck long and slender; body ovato-oblong, much compressed. Feet very long, rather stout; tibia bare in its lower half; tarsus long, compressed, anteriorly broadly scutellate; toes long, rather slender; hind toe small; fourth considerably longer than second; anterior toes divided to the base, scutellate. Claws of moderate length, very slightly arched, compressed, tapering to a point. Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath. Wings of moderate length, very broad, concave, rounded; first short, falciform, with the inner web broader toward the end; fourth quill longest; inner secondaries much elongated. Tail short, broad, convex, rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers. Digestive organs as in the Rails and Gallinules.

314. 1. Aramus scolopaceus, Vieill. Scolopaceous Courlan.

Plate CCCLXXVII. Male.

Bill greenish-yellow; feet leaden-grey; plumage chocolate-brown, the upper parts glossed, with purple and brown reflections; fore part of the head paler, inclining to grey, each feather with a greyish-white central line; sides of the head and throat still lighter, and a small portion of the throat whitish, these parts being streaked with greyish-brown and greyish-white; lower eyelid white; hind part and sides of neck marked with elliptical spots of white in regular series, there being one on each feather, some of them extending forwards to the posterior angle of the eye; some of the feathers on the middle of the breast and the lower wing-coverts similarly marked with lanceolate white spots; quills and tail glossy blackish-purple. Female somewhat less, but similar. Young, when fledged, of a much lighter tint; head and fore neck brownish-grey; excepting the quills, primary coverts, tail-feathers, and rump, all the plumage marked with spots of white; those on the neck elongated, on the back, wings, and breast lanceolate.

_Male_, 25-3/4, 41. _Female_, 25, 42. _Young_, 23.

Confined to the Everglades and central parts of Florida, where it is resident, but rather rare. Accidental on the Florida Keys.

Aramus scolopaceus, Bonap. Syn. p. 39.

Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v.
iv. p. 111.

Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p.
68.

Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v.
iv. p. 543.

FAMILY XXXIV. GRUINÆ. CRANES.

Bill about the length of the head, straight, depressed at the base, compressed toward the end, rather obtuse. Nostrils subbasal, lateral oblong. Head rather small, oblong; neck long; body large, compressed. Legs long and slender; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus somewhat compressed, anteriorly scutellate; toes rather long, first short and somewhat elevated; claws obtuse. Plumage full and rather compact. Wings broad, convex, the inner secondaries elongated and decurved; tail short, rounded.

GENUS I. GRUS, Briss. CRANE.

Bill longer than the head, straight, rather slender, but strong, compressed, obtusely pointed; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, a little concave at the middle, slightly declinate toward the tip, the ridge flat and rather broad as far as the middle, the sides sloping, towards the end convex; the nasal sinus narrow, bare, and extending to nearly two-thirds, the edges direct, thick; lower mandible with the angle narrow and very long, the sides perpendicular at the base, the edges thick, the tip narrow and obtuse. Nostrils subbasal, lateral, oblong, large, pervious. Head small, compressed; neck very long and slender; body very large, but compressed. Feet very long; tibia bare to a great extent; tarsus long, stout, moderately compressed, anteriorly covered with broad decurved scutella; toes stout, scutellate, of moderate length, marginate, the first very small and elevated, the fourth webbed at the base. Claws of moderate size, strong, considerably curved, rather compressed, blunted. Plumage imbricated; upper part of head bare. Wings ample, the second, third, and fourth longest, inner secondaries and their coverts curved downwards. Tail short, rounded, of twelve broad, rounded feathers.

315. 1. Grus Americana, Forster. Whooping Crane.--Sand-hill Crane. White Crane. Blue Crane. Brown Crane.

Plate CCXXVI. Male. Plate CCLXI. Young.

Adult with the bill dusky green, the feet black, the bare part of the head carmine, the plumage pure white, except the alula, primaries, and primary coverts, which are brownish-black. Young with the bill and feet brownish-black, the bare part of the head carmine, but less extended, the plumage bluish-grey, the feathers margined with yellowish-brown, chin and sides of head greyish-white, primary quills and coverts dark brown towards the end, with brownish-white shafts.

_Male_, 54, 92.

From Texas to North Carolina during autumn and winter, and across to the Rocky Mountains. Breeds from Upper California northward to the Arctic Regions, from which it removes southward early in autumn. Abundant in Georgia and Florida, and from thence to Texas.

Whooping Crane, Ardea Americana, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p.
20.

Grus Americana, Bonap. Syn. p. 302.

Grus Americana, Whooping Crane, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer.
v. ii. p. 372. Adult.

Grus canadensis, Brown Crane, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v.
ii. p. 273.

Whooping Crane, Grus Americana, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 34.
Adult.

Brown Crane, Grus canadensis, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 38. Young.

Whooping Crane, Grus Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
202, Adult; p. 441, Young.

FAMILY XXXV. CHARADRIINÆ. PLOVERS.

Bill short, straight, subcylindrical, obtusely pointed; upper mandible, with its dorsal line straight for half its length, afterwards convex; nasal groove bare, extended along two-thirds of the length of the bill. Head of moderate size, rather compressed, rounded in front. Eyes large. Neck rather short; body ovate, rather full. Plumage soft, blended, somewhat compact above; wings long, pointed, with the first quill longest. Tail of moderate length, somewhat rounded, or with the middle feathers projecting, of twelve feathers. Œsophagus of moderate width; stomach roundish, compressed, very muscular, with the epithelium dense and rugous; intestine rather long, and of moderate width; with rather long cœca. A single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, shallow; eggs generally four, large, pyriform, spotted. Young densely covered with down, and able to walk immediately after birth.

GENUS I. CHARADRIUS, Linn. PLOVER.

Bill short, or as long as the head, straight, rather stout, somewhat compressed, pointed; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, and slightly declinate for at least half its length, then bulging a little, and arched to the tip, which is rather acute, the sides flat and sloping at the base, convex towards the end, where the edges are sharp and inclinate; nasal groove extended to half the length, and bare; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the sides at the base erect and nearly flat, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges sharp and involute towards the tip, which is narrow and rather pointed. Nostrils subbasal, linear, open, and pervious. Eyes rather large. Head of moderate size, roundish, the forehead much rounded; neck rather short; body ovate, rather full. Feet rather long, slender; tibia bare for a considerable space; tarsus rather compressed, covered all round with reticulated hexagonal scales; toes of moderate length, slender, scutellate, second shorter than fourth, first wanting or rudimentary; anterior toes broadly marginate, webbed at the base. Claws small, compressed, slightly arched, rather acute. Plumage soft, blended, the feathers broad and rounded. Wings long and pointed, the primaries tapering, the first longest; inner secondaries tapering and elongated. Tail rather short, or of moderate length, rounded, of twelve rounded feathers. Tongue tapering, grooved above; œsophagus of moderate width; proventriculus oblong; stomach roundish, very muscular, its lateral and inferior muscles prominent, epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine rather long and of moderate width; cœca rather long.

316. 1. Charadrius Helveticus, Linn. Black-bellied Plover.--Bull-head. Ox-eye.

Plate CCCXXXIV. Male and Young.

An extremely diminutive hind toe; bill and feet black. In summer, the upper parts variegated with black, yellowish-brown, and white, the feathers being tipped with the latter; forehead yellowish-white, the rest of the head and hind neck greyish-white, spotted with dusky; hind part of rump, upper tail-coverts and tail-feathers white, transversely barred with brownish-black, the tail tipped with white, and having four dark bars on the middle feathers, and seven or eight on the outer webs of the rest; primary quills and coverts brownish-black, the latter terminally margined with white; shafts of the primaries about the middle, and part of the inner webs toward the base, white; inner six with a white patch on the outer web toward the base, and margined with white externally; outer secondary feathers white at the base, and margined with the same; inner dusky, with marginal triangular white spots; a narrow ring round the eye, and a broad longitudinal band on each side of the neck, together with the abdomen and lower tail-coverts, white; loral space, cheeks, fore part of neck, breast, and axillar feathers, black. In winter, the upper parts spotted with pale yellow, the lower greyish-white, the throat, neck, and sides streaked with dusky, the axillars black. Young pale brownish-yellow, mottled with dusky, rump whitish. After the second moult, the upper parts brownish-black, spotted with white, some of the spots yellow; fore part and sides of neck and body, greyish-white, mottled with brownish-grey, the rest of the lower parts white.

_Male_, 11-3/4, 25.

From Texas along the coast to the northern extremity of the Continent. Breeds from Virginia northward. Not abundant.

Tringa helvetica and Squatarola, Linn. Syst. Nat p. 250, 252.

Black-bellied Plover, Charadrius helveticus, Wils. Amer. Orn.
v. vii. p. 41. Summer.

Charadrius helveticus, Bonap. Syn. p. 298.

Grey Lapwing, Vanellus melanogaster, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 370.

Black-bellied or Swiss Plover, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 26.

Black-bellied Plover, Charadrius helveticus, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. iv. p. 280.

317. 2. Charadrius marmoratus, Wagler. American Golden Plover.

Plate CCC. Adult in summer, winter, and spring.

Bill black, feet bluish-grey. In summer the upper part of head, fore part of back, and scapulars variegated with brownish-black and bright yellow, the latter in spots along the edges of the feathers; rump with smaller spots, two on each feather; quills and coverts dark greyish-brown, secondaries paler, the inner margined with yellowish-white spots, the smaller coverts spotted with the same; tail-feathers greyish-brown, faintly banded with paler, the two central with marginal yellowish spots; a broad band of white across the forehead and over the eyes, and extending along the side of the neck; the rest of the lower parts brownish-black, excepting the lower tail-coverts, which are chiefly white, the lateral banded or spotted with black, and the axillary and lower wing-coverts, which are light grey. In winter, the upper parts are blackish-brown, marked with small yellow spots, the lower parts pale grey, passing behind into greyish-white, the neck and breast streaked with greyish-brown. This species, which closely resembles _Charadrius pluvialis_, is distinguishable by having the tarsus slightly longer, the toes somewhat shorter, and the axillar feathers always light grey, they being white in that species, which very probably exists in North America, although I am not at present in possession of specimens, and cannot with certainty describe it as belonging to that country.

_Adult_, 10-1/2, 22-3/8.

Migrates southward in autumn and winter in vast flocks, from the northern regions, resting by the way, both in the interior and along the coast. Breeds on the Northern Barren Grounds, and islands of the Arctic Sea.

Charadrius marmoratus, Wagler, Syst. Avium.

Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii.
p. 71. Winter.

Charadrius pluvialis, Bonap. Syn. p. 297.

Charadrius pluvialis, Golden Plover, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 623.

American Golden Plover, Charadrius marmoratus, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. v. p. 575.

318. 3. Charadrius vociferus, Linn. Kildeer Plover.

Plate CCXXV. Male and Female.

Tail rather long, much rounded; bill black, feet light greyish-blue, hind part of tarsus pale flesh-colour; upper part of head, fore part of back, smaller wing-coverts, and inner secondary quills brownish-olive; rump orange-red; lower parts white; a brown band from the base of the bill, under the eye, to the occiput; over this a white band on the forehead, and extending behind the eye, where it is tinged with light red; surmounted by a brownish-black band between the eyes; on the neck two broad rings, the upper white, the lower black, succeeded by a band of white, and another of black in front; primaries brownish-black, each with a white mark, linear on the outer, enlarging on the inner quills; secondaries, excepting the inner, white, but most of them with a large patch of blackish-brown toward the end, their tips and most of those of the primaries white, as are those of the larger coverts. Tail-feathers white at the base, succeeded by orange, the four middle brown, all with a broad subterminal band of black, the tips white, those of the middle feathers pale reddish, the outer on each side white, with three bands of black on the inner web.

_Male_, 10, 20.

Common. Breeds from Texas to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, and in all the central and Atlantic districts, to Massachusetts. Fur Countries.

Kildeer Plover, Charadrius vociferus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii.
p. 73.

Charadrius vociferus, Bonap. Syn. p. 297.

Charadrius vociferus, Kildeer Plover, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 368.

Kildeer Plover, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 22.

Kildeer Plover, Charadrius vociferus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii.
p. 191; v. v. p. 577.

319. 4. Charadrius montanus, Townsend. Rocky-mountain Plover.

Plate CCCL. Female. Male unknown.

Bill black, feet dull yellow. Forehead, a band over the eye, fore part of neck, and all the rest of the lower surface, white; crown of the head and nape dark yellowish-brown, sides and hind part of the neck dull ochre-yellow, which is the prevailing colour on the upper parts, the feathers being broadly margined with it while their central portion is greyish-brown; wing-coverts lighter; primary coverts and quills dusky, their shafts and margins white, that colour becoming more extended on the inner and on some of the secondaries, so as to form a conspicuous patch on the wing; inner secondaries like the back; tail yellowish-brown, tipped with yellowish-white, the two outer feathers margined with the same.

_Female_, 8-1/4, wing 6-1/8.

Rocky Mountains.

Charadrius montanus, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc.
Philadelphia, v. vii. p. 192.

Rocky Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v.
iv. p. 362.

320. 5. Charadrius Wilsonius, Ord. Wilson's Plover.

Plate CCLXXXIV. Male. Plate CCIX. Female.

Bill very large, nearly as long as the head, black; feet flesh-coloured; upper parts light greyish-brown, lower white; lower part of forehead, a broad band over the eyes, throat, and a ring round the neck, white; a band between the eyes, and one on the fore neck, brownish-black; quills dusky brown, outer webs of inner primaries white toward the base, most of the quills tipped with white; tail brown, darker toward the end, the lateral feathers becoming white. Female similar, but without the black band on the forehead, and having that on the neck light brown.

_Male_, 7-8/12, 14-1/4.

Common, and breeds from Texas along the coast to Long Island. Resident in the Southern States.

Wilson's Plover, Charadrius Wilsonius, Ord. Amer. Orn. v. ix.
p. 77.

Charadrius Wilsonius, Bonap. Syn. p. 296.

Wilson's Plover, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 21.

Wilson's Plover, Charadrius Wilsonius, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii.
p. 73; v. v. p. 577.

321. 6. Charadrius semipalmatus, Bonap. American Ring Plover.

Plate CCCXXX. Male and Female.

Anterior toes connected by webs of considerable extent; bill small, half the length of the head, reddish-orange, tipped with black; upper parts greyish-brown tinged with olive, lower white; forehead, loral space, a band passing below the eye, and a broad ring on the neck, black; a band between the eyes, throat, and a ring on the neck, white; quills dusky, darker towards the end, an elongated white spot on the inner primaries; tips of the secondary coverts, and two or three of the inner secondaries, with the tips of the rest white; tail-feathers brown, darker toward the end, tipped with white, enlarging toward the outer, which is entirely of that colour. Female similar, with the black bands lighter. Young with the upper parts paler, the feathers narrowly margined with dusky and dull yellow, the black bands on the head wanting, that on the fore neck brown.

_Male_, 7-1/4, 14.

From Texas to the Arctic Regions, after passing through the interior, as well as along the Atlantic shores. Breeds in Labrador and the Fur Countries. Many spend the winter in the Floridas.

Ring Plover, Tringa Hiaticula, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 65.

Charadrius semipalmatus, Bonap. Syn. p. 296.

American Ring Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, Swains. & Rich.
F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 367.

Semipalmated Ringed Plover, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 21.

American Ringed Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, Aud. Orn.
Biog. v. iv. p. 256; v. v. p. 579.

322. 7. Charadrius melodus, Ord. Piping Plover.

Plate CCXX. Male and Female.

Bill scarcely half the length of the head, orange, with the end black; upper parts pale brownish-grey, lower part of forehead, sides of the face, and all the lower parts white; a black band across the upper part of the forehead, and a ring of the same on the lower part of the neck, broad on the sides, but narrow above and below, where it is formed merely by the tips of some of the feathers; above this is a white band on the hind neck; primaries dusky; a white band on the wing, narrow on the outer primaries, and enlarging so as to include the whole of some of the inner secondaries; secondary coverts also tipped with white; tail white, all the feathers, except the lateral, dusky toward the end. Young paler, the feathers of the upper parts edged with faint brown and yellowish; the black bands wanting.

_Male_, 7-1/2, 15-1/2.

From Texas, along the whole coast, to the Magdeleine Islands, Gulf of St Lawrence, breeding everywhere. Common. Great numbers spend the winter from South Carolina to the mouths of the Mississippi.

Ring Plover, Charadrius Hiaticula, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. v. p.
30.

Charadrius melodus, Ord., Bonap. Syn. p. 296.

Piping Ring Plover, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 18.

Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
154; v. v. p. 578.

GENUS II. APHRIZA, Aud. SURF-BIRD.

Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, tapering, straightish, being recurvate in a slight degree; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, and a little declinate as far as the middle, then concave, and towards the end convex, the nasal grooves extending to near the end, the ridge rather broad and flattened, the tip compressed and bluntish; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending, and slightly convex, the sides grooved for half their length, convex toward the end, the tip narrowed, but blunt. Nostrils subbasal, linear, near the margin. Head rather small, ovate, rounded in front; neck of ordinary length; body rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare at the lower part, and reticulated; tarsus roundish, with small angular scales all round, those on the fore part larger; toes four, with numerous scutella, the first very small, and placed higher, the anterior toes free to the base, distinctly margined on both edges, flat beneath, the inner considerably shorter than the outer. Claws rather small, curved, compressed, blunted. Plumage full, soft, rather dense, on the neck and lower parts blended. Wings very long, narrow, and pointed; first primary longest, inner secondaries much elongated. Tail rather short, even, of twelve moderately broad feathers. Name from [Greek: Aphros], foam; and [Greek: xaô], to live.

323. 1. Aphriza Townsendii, Aud. Townsend's Surf-Bird.

Plate CCCCXXVIII. Female.

Bill dusky, toward the base orange, feet bluish-green; upper parts blackish-grey; quills greyish-black; a broad band of white on the wing, occupying the tips of the primary coverts; the terminal third of the secondary coverts, the bases, and more or less of the margins and tips of the quills, several of the inner secondaries having only a streak of dusky on the inner web; shafts of quills also white, as are some of the feathers of the rump, the upper tail-coverts, and the basal half of the tail, of which the rest is black, the feathers narrowly edged with white at the end; throat greyish-white; cheeks, sides, and fore part of neck, and anterior part of breast, dull grey, of a lighter tint than the back; the rest of the lower parts white, with small longitudinal oblong dark grey streaks; axillaries and lower wing-coverts white.

_Female_, 11; wing, 7-1/2.

Cape Disappointment, Columbia River.

Townsend's Surf-Bird, Aphriza Townsendi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v.
p. 249.

GENUS III. STREPSILAS, Illiger. TURNSTONE.

Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, tapering, straightish, being recurvate in a slight degree; upper mandible with the dorsal line very slightly concave, the nasal groove extending to the middle, the sides beyond it sloping, the tip depressed and blunted; lower mandible with the angle short, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp, the tip depressed and blunted. Nostrils subbasal, linear-oblong, pervious. Head rather small, ovate; neck of ordinary length; body rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare at the lower part, and covered with reticulated scales; tarsus roundish, with numerous broad anterior scutella; toes four, the first very small and elevated, anterior toes free to the base, distinctly margined, the inner a little shorter than the outer. Claws rather small, arched, compressed, blunted. Plumage full, soft, rather dense, and glossy. Wings long, pointed, of moderate breadth, first quill longest, inner secondaries elongated. Tail rather short, slightly rounded, of twelve moderately broad feathers.

324. 1. Strepsilas Interpres, Linn. Turnstone.

Plate CCCIV. Summer and winter plumage.

Adult in summer with the bill black, feet deep orange; plumage varied with white, black, brown, and red; upper parts of the head and nape streaked with black and reddish-white; a broad band of white crossing the forehead, passing over the eyes, and down the sides of the neck, the hind part of which is reddish-white, faintly mottled with dusky; a frontal band of black curving downwards before the eye, enclosing a white patch on the lore, and meeting another black band glossed with blue, which proceeds down the neck, from the base of the lower mandible, enlarging behind the ear, covering the whole anterior part of the neck, and passing along the shoulders over the scapulars; the throat, hind part of the back, outer scapulars, upper tail-coverts, and under parts of body and wings, white; anterior smaller, wing-coverts dusky, the rest bright chestnut or brownish-orange, as are the outer webs of the inner tertiaries; alula, primary coverts, outer secondary coverts and quills blackish-brown, the inner webs becoming white towards the base; a broad band of white across the wing, including the bases of the primary quills, excepting the outer four, and the ends of the secondary coverts; shafts of primaries white; tail white, with a broad blackish-brown band towards the end, broader in the middle, the tips white; a dusky band crossing the rump. In winter, the throat, lower parts, middle of the back, upper tail-coverts, and band across the wing, white, as in summer; tail and quills also similarly coloured, but the inner secondaries destitute of red, of which there are no traces on the upper parts, they being of a dark greyish-brown colours, tipped or margined with paler; outer edges of outer scapulars, and some of the smaller wing-coverts, white; on the sides and fore part of the neck, the feathers blackish.

_Male_, 9, 18-3/4.

Not uncommon along the shores of the Southern States during winter, though the greater number remove much farther south. Breeds in high northern latitudes, Hudson's Bay, and shores of Arctic Seas. Never in the interior.

Turnstone, Tringa Interpres, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 32.

Strepsilas Interpres, Bonap. Syn. p. 299.

Strepsilas Interpres, Turnstone, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer.
v. ii. p. 371.

Turnstone or Sea Dotterel, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 30.

Turnstone, Strepsilas Interpres, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 31.

GENUS IV. HÆMATOPUS. OYSTER-CATCHER.

Bill long, slender, straight, or slightly recurvate, higher than broad at the base, extremely compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly sloping at the base, somewhat convex beyond the nostrils, then straight and sloping to the point, the ridge broad and flattened as far as the prominence, afterwards extremely narrow, the sides sloping at the base, perpendicular towards the end, the edges rather sharp, the tip abrupt and wedge shaped; nasal groove long, bare; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides erect, the edges thin, the tip abrupt and wedged. Nostrils subbasal, linear, near the margin. Head of moderate size, ovate, the forehead rounded; neck of moderate length; body compact. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare for about a fourth of its length; tarsus slightly compressed, covered all round with hexagonal scales; toes of moderate length, stout, marginate, flat beneath, webbed at the base, the outer considerably longer than the inner, the first wanting. Claws rather small, arched, moderately compressed, obtuse. Plumage generally blended, on the back compact. Wings long, pointed, the first quill longest. Tail short, nearly even, of twelve feathers. Tongue short, triangular, fleshy; œsophagus dilated into a pretty large crop; stomach oblong, muscular, with the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine long and rather slender; cœca long and nearly cylindrical; cloaca globular.

325. 1. Hæmatopus palliatus, Temm. American Oyster-catcher.

Plate CCXXIII. Male.

Bill vermilion, feet very pale flesh-colour; head and neck dull black tinged with bluish-grey; upper parts light greyish-brown, tinged with olive, and faintly glossed with reddish-purple; lower eyelid, edge of wing, tips of secondary coverts, secondary quills except the inner, pure white; as are the lower parts generally, the rump, and basal half of the tail; primaries and terminal part of tail brownish-black.

_Male_, 18-1/2, 32-1/2, bill 3-5/8. _Female_, 21, 36.

Breeds from Texas along the coast to New York, again from Maine to Labrador. Returns south in autumn, spending the winter from Maryland to West Florida. Rather common.

Hæmatopus palliatus, Temm. Man. d'Orn. v. ii. p. 532.

Mantled Oyster-catcher, Hæmatopus palliatus, Nutt. Man. v. ii.
p. 15.

American Oyster-catcher, Hæmatopus palliatus, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. iii. p. 181; v. v. p. 580.

326. 2. Hæmatopus Bachmanii, Aud. Bachman's Oyster-catcher.

Plate CCCCXXVII. Fig. 1. Male.

Bill vermilion, fading to yellow on the worn parts towards the end; feet white, slightly tinged with flesh-colour; plumage chocolate-brown, darker and tinged with bluish-grey on the head and neck; the under surface of the quills lighter.

_Male_, 17-1/2, wing 10; bill 2-3/4.

North-west coast, Regent's Sound, and about the mouth of the Columbia River. Rather common. Migratory.

Bachman's Oyster-catcher, Hæmatopus Bachmani, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. v. p. 245.

327. 3. Hæmatopus Townsendii, Aud. Townsend's Oyster-catcher.

Plate CCCCXXVII. Fig. 2. Female.

Bill vermilion, paler toward the end; feet blood-red; plumage chocolate-brown, darker and tinged with bluish-grey on the head, neck, and breast; under surface of quills light brownish-grey, with the shafts whitish; many of the wing-coverts narrowly tipped with brownish-white.

_Female_, 20; wing 11; bill 3-2/12.

Coast of California, and along the shores of the North Pacific, southward and northward. Rather common. Migratory.

Townsend's Oyster-catcher, Hæmatopus Townsendi, Aud. Orn.
Biog. v. v. p. 247.

FAMILY XXXVI. SCOLOPACINÆ. SNIPES.

Bill longer than the head, subulate, slender, straight, or recurved, or decurved; upper mandible with the nasal groove very long, the edges flattened or rounded, the tip generally rather obtuse; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the sides longitudinally grooved. Nostrils basal, linear, small. Head rather small, oblong, anteriorly rounded; neck of moderate length or long; body ovate, deep. Legs generally long, slender; tarsus long, compressed, scutellate; toes generally four, first small, sometimes wanting; anterior toes of moderate length, slender. Claws small, arched, compressed, rather acute. Wings long, pointed, with the first quill longest, and the inner secondaries tapering and much elongated; tail rather short, of twelve feathers. Tongue long, slender, trigonal, pointed; œsophagus of moderate width, stomach oblong or roundish, moderately muscular, with dense rugous epithelium; intestine long, of moderate width; cœca rather long, cylindrical, contracted at the base. Trachea flattened, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. TRINGA, Linn. SANDPIPER.

Bill little longer than the head, slender, straight, compressed, tapering, with the tip a little enlarged and blunt; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly declinate, the ridge narrow and flattened until towards the end, when it becomes considerably broader, the sides sloping, the tip convex above and ending in a blunt point, the edges thick and flattened; nasal groove extending to near the tip; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides sloping outwards, with a long narrow groove, the tip a little broader, but tapering. Head rather small, oblong, compressed; neck of ordinary length; body rather full. Feet rather long, slender; tibia bare a third part of its length; tarsus anteriorly and posteriorly scutellate; hind toe very small, or wanting, the rest of moderate length, slender, the fourth slightly longer than the second, the third longest, all free, broadly marginate, with numerous scutella. Claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather obtuse. Plumage soft, blended, on the back distinct. Wings very long, pointed; primaries tapering, obtuse, the first longest; one of the inner secondaries very long. Tail rather short, nearly even, of twelve feathers.

328. 1. Tringa Bartramia, Wils. Bartramian Sandpiper.--Highland Plover. Papabote.

Plate CCCIII. Male and Female.