Part 11

125. TÓTANUS (Redshank, Sandpiper). Bill moderate, slender, soft at the base, solid at the end; both mandibles grooved at the base, upper channelled through half its length; nostrils pierced in the groove; legs long, slender; toes four. Page 267

126. LIMÓSA (Godwit). Bill very long, slender, curved upwards, soft and flexible throughout, dilated towards the tip, and blunt; upper mandible channelled throughout its whole length; nostrils linear, pierced in the groove, pervious; legs long and slender; toes four, the outer and middle connected as far as the first joint; wings moderate; first primary longest. Page 272

127. NUMENIUS (Curlew, Whimbrel). Bill much larger than the head, slender, curved downwards. Page 273

ORDER GAVIÆ

Front toes entirely connected by webs. Primaries, ten large and visible, one minute and concealed.

FAMILY LARIDÆ (GULLS, TERNS, SKUAS)

SUB-FAMILY STERNINÆ

Bill straight, rather slender; mandibles of about equal length.

128. HYDROCHELIDON (Black, White-winged, and Whiskered Terns). Tail feathers rounded or slightly pointed; tail short, less than half length of wing. Page 275

129. STERNA (Other Terns). Outer tail feathers longest, pointed; tarsus short; tail at least half length of wing; bill compressed and slender; tarsus never exceeds length of middle toe with claw. Page 276

SUB-FAMILY LARINÆ

Bill with upper mandible longer and bent over tip of under one.

130. LARUS (Gull). Bill moderate, strong, sharp-edged above, compressed, slightly decurved; hind toe high on the tarsus; first primary nearly equal to the second, which is longest; tail even, or but slightly forked. Page 281

131. RISSA (Kittiwake). Bill rather short and stout, considerably decurved; hind toe minute and usually obsolete; first primary slightly exceeding second; tail perceptibly forked in young, nearly square in adult. Page 287

SUB-FAMILY STERCORARIINÆ

Bill with a cere; claws large, strong, hooked.

132. STERCORARIUS (Skua). Bill moderate, strong, rounded above, compressed towards the tip, which is decurved; nostrils far forward, diagonal, pervious; hind toe very small, scarcely elevated; the middle tail-feathers more or less elongated. Page 288

ORDER PYGOPODES

Wings short

FAMILY ALCIDÆ (AUKS)

Bill much flattened vertically (compressed); wings short; legs placed at the extremity of the body; feet three-toed, palmated; tail short. Food, mostly fish, and captured by diving.

133. ALCA (Razor-bill). Bill large, sharp-edged, the basal half feathered, the terminal part grooved laterally; upper mandible much curved towards the point; nostrils nearly concealed by a feathered membrane; tail pointed. Page 291

134. ÚRIA (Guillemot). Bill strong, nearly straight, sharp-pointed, of moderate length; nostrils basal, partly covered by a feathered membrane; first primary longest. Page 292

135. MÉRGULUS. (Little Auk). Bill strong, conical, slightly curved, shorter than the head; nostrils basal, partly covered by a feathered membrane; first and second primaries equal. Page 294

136. FRATERCULA (Puffin). Bill shorter than head, higher than long, ridge of upper mandible higher than crown; both mandibles much curved throughout, transversely furrowed, notched at tip; nostrils basal, almost closed by a naked membrane. Page 295

FAMILY COLYMBIDÆ (DIVERS)

Bill slightly compressed, not covered with a membranous skin; edges of the mandibles unarmed, or but slightly toothed; wings short; legs placed far behind; tarsi very much compressed; toes four. Food, fish and other aquatic animal substances obtained by diving. Females smaller than males.

137. COLYMBUS (Diver). Bill forming a pointed cylindrical cone; front toes entirely palmated; tail very short. Page 297