SYNOPSIS 



OF 



NORTH AMERICAN ORDERS OF WATER BIRDS. 



A. Legs lengthened, the tibise usually denuded for a considerable distance above the knee. Toes 



not fully webbed, except in Becurvirostra and Pha,nicopterus. (Waders.) 



I. HERODIONES. Neck and legs much lengthened. Hind toe much lengthened, and 

 inserted at the same level as the anterior toes (shorter and slightly elevated in Ciconiidce). 

 Habits altricial ^ and young dasypaedic."^ Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. 



II. LIMICOL.a3. Neck and legs usually elongated (the latter sometimes excessively so), 

 the tibise usually more or less naked below. Hind toe short or rudimentary, sometimes 

 absent, and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. Habits prtecocial,^ and young 

 dasypEfidic. Palate .'^chizognathous. Carotids double. 



' III. ALECTORIDES. Hind toe small and elevated (Ijut iieck much lengthened and bill 

 .strong and hard) in Gruida! ; lengthened and incumbent in Aramidm and Rallidce. 

 Wings comparatively short and rounded, and body compressed (except in Gh-uidw). 

 Habits prsecocial, and young dasypeedic. Palate schizognathous. Carotids double. 



IV. PHCENICOPTERI. Neck and legs excessively elongated, the anterior toes webbed, 

 and the tibise naked for the greater part of their length. Hind toe small and elevated, 

 or wholly absent. Bill of very peculiar f(jrm, being greatly thickened and abruptly 

 bent downward from the middle portion, the tomia provided with lamellte, as in the 

 Anseres. Habits pr^cocial and young dasypsedic. Palate saurognathous. Carotids 

 double, but the left much reduced in size. 



B. Legs short, the tibiiE wholly or mostly feathered. Anterior toes distinctly (usually fully) 



webbed, or else broadly lobed and provided with broad flat nails (Podicipidce). 

 (Swimmers.) 



V. ANSERES. Bill broad and depressed (nearly cylindrical in Mergince), the tip provided 

 with a distinct nail or unguis, and the tomia with vertical lamellaj or strainers (more 

 tooth-like in Mergince). Habits prtecocial, young dasypsedic. Palate saiu-ognathous. 

 Carotids double. 



^ Altricial huds are those whose young are hatched in a l)lind and lielpless condition, and are reared in 

 the nest until able to fly. 



2 Young birds which are covered with down when liatched are said to be dasypaedic ; e. g., chicks of the 

 Domestic Fowl and other gallinaceous birds, ducklings, etc. 



3 Prfficocial birds are those whose young are capable of ruiming about as soon as hatched, and although 

 led and otherwise cared for by the parents, are not fed by them ; e. </., the young of the Domestic Fowl 

 Ducks, Geese, etc. 



