124. MACHÉTES (Ruff). Bill straight, as long as the head, dilated and smooth at the tip; nasal channel reaching to nearly the end of the bill; nostrils basal; first and second primaries longest; toes four, the outer and middle connected as far as the first joint; neck of the male in spring furnished with a ruff. _Page 266_
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_
Front toes entirely connected by webs. Primaries, ten large and visible, one minute and concealed.
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_
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_
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_