THE 



WAT E R BIRDS 



OF 



NORTH AMERICA. 



Oedee HFRODIONES/ 



ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES. 



Chae. Altricial Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened, and nearly or quite 

 incumbent ; in habits more or less arboreal (generally nesting on trees, while 

 all are "Perchers"). Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. 



The above brief diagnosis is sufficient to succinctly characterize this eminently 

 natural group of birds. The Herodiones, which include the Boatbills {Cancromidce), 

 Herons (Ardeidce), Storks {CiconiklcB), Ibises {Ibididce), and Spoonbills {Plataleidm), 

 with perhaps, but not certainly, some other minor groups, are at once distinguished 

 from the Prfficocial Grallatores {Limicohe, A/ecfondes, and Phoenico2)teri) by their 

 altricial nature, the young being completely helj)less at birth, and having to be reared 

 in the nest, instead of being at once capable of active movement and able to shift 

 for themselves, although i\\Qj follow their parents for a considerable time. There are 

 also important peculiarities of the osteological and anatomical structure, which alone 

 are sufficient to demonstrate the fact that this group is not intimately related to 

 other Waders, their general exterior resemblance to them being one of analogy and 

 not of affinity. According to Huxley (P. Z. S. 1867, 461), the osteological characters 

 of this group are as follows : There are no basipterygoid jarocesses ; the palatines 

 are usually united for a greater or less distance behind the posterior nares, and are 

 destitute of a vertical plate depending from their jimction; the maxillo-palatines 

 large and spongy ; the sternum broad, and with two to four posterior notches. The 

 relation between the phalanges is the same as in the " Chenomorphoi " {= Anatidre) 

 and " Amp/ninot'jjhce " (= Phoenicopter>). 



The Water Birds most nearly related structin-ally to the present group are the 

 Steganojoodes, — Pelicans, Cormorants, Gannets, and their allies, — which are 

 likewise both desmognathous and altricial; and what is an important fact in 



1 An analysis of tlie Orders of Water Birds is given on pages x, xi. 

 VOL. I. — 1 



