Order IX
Limicolæ. - PHALAROPES, SNIPES, PLOVERS, etc.
Toes four, or (Plovers) three; the hind toe, when present, less than half the length of the inner one, and always elevated above the others; legs generally long and slender, the lower half of the tibiæ bare; bill, except in the Plovers, generally long, slender, and soft, the nostrils opening through slits or grooves; wings long and pointed, the first primary generally the longest. a b C 1 FIG. 26. e ১ d I. Tarsus over 3.50. p. 149.
II. Tarsus under 3.50.
Family Recurvirostride: STILTS and AVOCETS, A. Sides of the toes with lobes or webs.
PHALAROPES (Fig. 26, a), p. 147.
B. Sides of the toes without lobed webs. ...
Family Phalaropodidœ: a. Toes four (except in the Sanderling); front of the tarsus with transverse, more or less square, scales. Family Scolopacidæ : SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, etc. (Fig. 25, a, b; Fig. 26, b, c), p. 150. .. b. Whole lower back white, a black band across the rump.... Family Aphrizida: TURNSTONES, etc., p. 176. c. Toes three (except in the Black-bellied Plover); front of the tarsus with small, rounded scales. c1. Bill under 2.00.
Family Charadriida: PLOVERS (Fig. 25, c, d; Fig. 26, d, e), p. 171. c2. Bill over 2.00.... Family Hematopodida: OYSTER-CATCHERS, p. 177.
KEY TO FAMILIES.
THE LAND BIRDS.