HERONS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 403 



the inner digital bone very small. The pelvis of moderate 

 size, with the ischiatic bone united, the pubic bone slender and 

 free, unless at the base. The femur is very short ; the tibia 

 extremely long; the fibula slender, united, and extending 

 half-way down ; the tarsus long, slender, of greater breadth 

 than depth ; the digits long and slender ; the first toe on the 

 same plane, with two phalanges and a basal bone ; the 

 second with three ; the third with four ; the fourth five. 



The skeleton thus differs considerably from that of the 

 Gruinse. The skull is more elongated, and flattened instead 

 of being convex above ; the nasal sinus short, instead of 

 being very long ; the upper cervical vertebra? are very long 

 in the Herons, short in the Cranes ; the sternum short, and 

 of moderate breadth in the former, long and narrow in the 

 latter ; the furcula articulated in the Herons, united in the 

 Cranes ; the pelvis moderate in the former, very large in 

 the latter ; besides other differences. 



The affinities of the genera being complex, it is impos- 

 sible to arrange them in a circular or quinary order, unless a 

 single organ be taken as supplying characters. It is amusing 

 to. see those who profess to take the whole organization into 

 account, usually forced to confine their regards to a few 

 organs. Thus Mr. Swainson betakes himself to the bill ; for 

 although the feet in several instances, and other parts in 

 others, are spoken of, the bill is the only organ adduced in 

 all his generic characters. He has, besides, thrust among 

 the Ardeinse two genera, Platalea and Hoematopus, which 

 belong to two distinct families. None but the most super- 

 ficial observer could think of placing an Oyster-catcher 

 beside a Heron, differing as they do in structure and habits. 

 Hoematopus having three toes, while the rest have four, is 

 assumed by him as the " Grallatorial type," it being neces- 

 sary, in a quinary arrangement, that such should be. Yet, 

 not at all strange to tell, in another part of the same volume, 

 Hoematopus is assumed as belonging to the " Charadriadse," 

 or family of Plovers. It is disheartening to find nature 

 thus perverted by ignorant pretenders to science, and weari- 

 some to point out their errors. 



The Ardeina? are essentially carnivorous, and more espe- 



