EEY 10 BIRDS IN THE FIELD 371 



General Key to the Groups of Water Birds 



This Key is a very general one. Tiie illustrations in Part II. are 

 believed to serve better for the identification of most water birds, seen at 

 a distance, than any field keys that could be prepared. The object of this 

 Key is to state concisely the general characteristics of each group and 

 refer the learner to the pages where descriptions and engravings can be 

 found. 



* Shore birds, with round heads, short, pigeon-like bills,'- short necks, and 



stout bodies. These are found near both salt and fresh water ponds 

 and streams. None are over 12 inches long. Because of the short- 

 ness of the bill, a few of the sandpipers might be looked for here, 



especially those found on pp. 247 and 248 



Plovers, pp. 229-233. Turnstone, p. 228. 



* Shore birds, with slender and usually elongated bills, =^ and generally 



long legs and necks. These are found abundantly on marshes, 

 meadows, and along the shores. The plumage is generally of mottled 

 brown color. The length varies from G to 25 inches 



— Bill long and curved downward Curlews, p. 249. 



— Bill long and curved upward 



Godwits, p. 244. Avocets, pp. 250, 251. 



— Bill straight and of varying length 



Snipes, Sandpipers, pp. 237-249. Phalaropes, p. 252. 



* Reedy marsh birds, with l(»ng legs, long toes, and narrow bndies. Plain- 



colored, generally skulking birds, hi<ling in the most inaccessible 

 places, and thus difficult to see. They are noisy birds, with penetrat- 

 ing voices of varied character which have been likened to those of 

 pigs, frogs, chickens, etc. The length of the different species varies 

 from G-15 inches Rails, p. 255. Gallinules, p. 259. 



* Swamp birds of large size, with long necks, long, strong bills, ■« and long 



legs. They are often seen standing on one leg. These are brightly 



marked and in the breeding sea.son beautifully crested birds 



Bitterns, p. 204. Herons, pp. 265-270. Cranes, p. 261. 



* Small swimming birds, whicb on shore seem much like sandpipers 



Phalaropes, p. 252. 



* Swimming birds, with stout, flattened bodies, large heads, and usually 



broad, depressed bills.^ These are generally large birds found swim- 

 ming in all waters. When flying they move through the air with 



wonderful velocity Sea Ducks, pp. 286-296. River Ducks, 



pp. 297-303. Fish Ducks, p. 304. Geese, p. 280. Swans, p. 279. 



