SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES 

 AMERICAN BIRDS. 



OF NORTH 



The figures are all life-size, except as stated. 



WATER BIRDS. 



Order I. Grebes, Loons, and Auks. PYGOPODES. 



(3 families, 32 species, 3 subspecies.) 



Duck-like birds with the bill usually pointed, never wider than high, 

 and without fTutings, 'gutters,' or serrations on its side; wings short, 

 never with a bright colored patch or 'speculum'; tail rudimentary, not 

 noticeable; toes webbed or lobed. Color usually blackish above, white 

 below; the throat often dark. The Grebes and Loons, when pursued, 

 dive rather than fly; the Auks usually take wing. 



PIED-BILLED GREBE. 



Family i. GREBES. PODICIPID/E. 



Toes four, with lobate webs; tipped with a broad nail; tail wanting. 



FOOT OF RAZOR-BILLED AUK. 

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