Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME V.
GENUS IV.--TOTANUS, Bechst. TATLER.
Bill much longer than the head, very slender, sub-cylindrical, straight,
flexible, compressed at the base, the point rather depressed and obtuse; upper
mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge convex, as are the sides, the
edges thick, the tip slightly deflected; lower mandible with the angle very long
and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, with a slight groove in
their basal half, the edges grooved longitudinally, as are those of the upper,
the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, linear. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck
rather long and slender; body slender. Feet very long and slender; tibia bare
for half its length; tarsus compressed, scutellate before and behind; hind toe
very small, anterior of moderate length, connected by webs at the base, all
scutellate above. Claws small, slightly arched, rather obtuse. Plumage soft
and blended; wings long, narrow, pointed; first quill longest, inner secondaries
long; tail short, of twelve rounded feathers.