ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS OF THE ORDERS. 



ORDER XIII. CURSORES. RUNNERS. 



Bill of moderate length, rather stout, straight or nearly 

 so, compressed toward the end, opening to beneath the eyes, 

 and having the nasal sinuses large. Mouth rather wide. 

 Tongue fleshy, tapering, pointed. (Esophagus of moderate 

 width; proventriculus bulbifonn ; stomach with strong lateral 

 muscles, dense and rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate 

 length and width., with large or moderate coeca. Legs gene- 

 rally long, and slender ; tibia bare to a great extent ; tarsus 

 long, generally reticulate all round, but sometimes anteriorly 

 scutellate ; toes short or moderate, thickish, flattened beneath, 

 the anterior spreading, and webbed at the base; the hind 

 toe wanting, or small and elevated; claws short, obtuse. 

 Plumage moderately developed, the feathers with a large 

 plumule ; wings slightly developed in one family, but usually 

 large, generally pointed, though varying in form ; tail short. 



ORDER XIV. TENTATORES. PROBERS. 



Bill longer than the head, very slender, somewhat cylin- 

 drical, generally flexible and elastic. Mouth very narrow. 

 Tongue slender, triangular, tapering to a point. (Esophagus 

 narrow ; proventriculus oblong, or bulbiform ; stomach 

 roundish, elliptical, or oblong, with strong lateral muscles, 



