80 ELEMENTS OP COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 



treme is reached in those strong fliers, the albatross, tropic 

 birds, gulls, etc. More useful to man are the ducks and 

 geese, while the swans, auks, and cormorants must be 

 mentioned as members of the order. 



ORDER IV. GRALLATORES (Wading Birds). 



The wading birds have long legs, the tarsal region being 

 extremely long, and the shank partly naked. Correlated 

 with length of leg is length of neck. Here belong a long 

 series of forms, some of which, like the snipe, are of value 



FIG. 33. Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago urilsoni). After Wilson. 



to man as game-birds ; while others, like the cranes, herons, 

 storks, etc., have less importance. Some, like the ibis and 

 the flamingo, are brightly colored, while marabou and egret 

 furnish feathers for human adornment. 



In all the foregoing groups of birds the hinder toe is, 

 as a rule, small and of little use. In all that follow it is 

 usually well developed. 



