ORDER 9. SHORE BIRDS. Limicolæ.
Comparatively small, long legged, slender-billed birds seen running along edges of ponds or beaches.
PHALAROPES. Phalaropodidæ.—Toes with lobed webs.
AVOCETS, STILTS. Recurvirostridæ:—Avocet, with slender recurved bill, and webbed feet; stilt, with straight bill, very long legs, toes not webbed.
SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Family Scolopacidæ:—Bills very variable but slender, and all, except the Woodcock, with long pointed wings; flight usually swift and erratic.
PLOVERS. Family Charadriidæ:—Bill short and stout; three toes.
TURNSTONES. Family Aphrizidæ:—Bill short, stout and slightly up-turned; four toes.
OYSTER-CATCHERS. Family Hæmatopodidæ:—Bill long, heavy and compressed; legs and toes stout; three toes slightly webbed at base.
JACANAS. Family Jacanidæ:—Bill with leaf-like shield at the base; legs and toes extremely long and slender; sharp spur on wing.