NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



g^. Hind toe (if present) small and inserted above the 



level of the rest, or else size small or medium 



(never as much as 3 feet long) ; loral and orbital 



regions fully feathered, and middle claw with edge 



not pectinated. 



h}. If more than 3 feet long, the hind toe short and 



elevated ; if under 3 feet long, the hind toe on 



same level with anterior toes. 



Order Paludicolae. (Page 134.) 



h}. Never over 3 feet long (usually much less), the 



hind toe (if present) shoi't and elevated, or 



else the claws excessively lengthened and 



wings spurred. 



Order Lfimicolse. (Page 143.) 

 /*. Lower portion of thighs feathered (or else middle and 

 outer toes united for at least half their length), the 

 bill if lengthened not grooved along the side. 

 g^. Bill strongly hooked, with a distinct naked cere at 

 base of upper mandible ; or if no naked cere, the 

 toes 2 in front and 2 behind. 

 h^. Toes 3 in front, or else outer toe reversible. 



Order Raptores. (Page 218.) 

 /i^ Toes 2 in front, 2 behind (outer toe permanently 



reversed) Order Psittaci. (Page 268.) 



g*. Bill not strongly hooked, and without naked cere 

 at base of upper mandible ; or if with a cere, the 

 latter swollen and the bill straight. 

 h}. Hind toe small and elevated, or else bill with- 

 out soft swollen cere. 



Order Gallinse. (Page 184.) 



h"^. Hind toe (or toes) well developed and on same 



level with anterior toes. 



i^. Bill with soft swollen cere at base of upper 



mandible. Order Columbse. (Page 210.) 



I*. Bill without soft swollen cere. 



/. Wings very long, with 10 quills, tail 

 of 10 feathers, and gape very wide 

 and deeply cleft, or else bill long 

 and slender, tongue extensile, and 

 secondaries only 6 in number. 

 Order Macrochires. (Page 297.) 

 /. Wings not very long and gape not very 

 wide nor deeply cleft, or else wing 

 with only 9 quills and tail-feathers 

 12 in number. 



