LIMICDLIE (Neo-Lat., from Lat. limns, mud rolcre, to inhabit). A large order or suborder of birds, often known as the 'plover-snipe' group, differing from other wading birds chiefly in their breeding habits. They lay few eggs, usually four, and the young when hatched are at once able to run about and look ont for themselves. The body is rounded or depressed, never notably eompressed, as in the rails. The members of most species are of small size, and are usually found in open places near bodies of water. They feed on insects and worms, and other small animals, for the capture of which their long, slender, and sen sitive bills are admirably fitted. The order is a large one and includes about a dozen families found in all parts of the world. The best known of these and the most typical are the plovers (Charadriida-), the snipes. sandpipers, curlews, etc. (Scolopaeidtc), and the avocets (Recurviros trithe). The other families are the pratineoles
(Glareolithe), confined to the Old World; the thick-knees KEdienemiffie), with eight species, all but one of which are Old World forms; the jacanas (Parridie), rail-likc birds of both hemi spheres; the sheath-bilis (Chionidoe), remark able pure white birds of Kerguelen and the Crozet Islands, two species of which are known; the Thinocorithr, a family of half a dozen gallina like South American birds; the crab-plovers (Dromadicke), only one species being known, an inhabitant of India and Afriea ; the IImmatopo didm or oyster-catchers, with six or eight cosmo politan species; the Phalaropodidre, with three boreal species, easily recognized by their lobate feet; and lastly and doubtfully the Old World bustards (Otidida.), which are perhaps more nearly related to the cranes. See Plates of BEAco-Binns, and of SHORE-BIRDS.