100 CHARACTERS OF THE ORDERS. 



ORDER 1. RASORES. SCRAPERS. 



Bill short, of moderate strength ; upper mandible with a 

 flattened nasal membrane, its extremity arched and rather de- 

 pressed, with overlapping edges, and obtuse tip. CEsophagus 

 narrow, with a very large globular crop having a small aper- 

 ture ; proventriculus bulbiform, with oblong sacculated glan- 

 dules ; stomach a powerful gizzard, with very thick lateral 

 muscles, a prominent distinct inferior muscle, and thick ru- 

 gous epithelium or inner coat. Intestine of moderate length 

 and nearly uniform diameter, but having appended two cceca of 

 extreme size, being together of equal capacity with the intestine. 

 Legs strong, short or of moderate length ; toes rather short, 

 strong, flattened beneath ; three before, spreading, united by a 

 web at the base ; hind toe very short and a little elevated, or 

 wanting ; claws arched, more or less depressed, and obtuse. 

 Wings short, curved, and much rounded ; the primaries attenu- 

 ated and separated towards the end. Fig. 85, and PL VI. 



ORDER II. GEMITORES. COOERS. 



Bill of moderate length, slender ; upper mandible with a bare, 

 tumid, fleshy nasal membrane, its extremity enlarged and com- 

 pressed, with sharp edges, and narrow blunt tip. CEsophagus 

 immediately dilated into an extremely large transverse crop, 

 internally reticularly rugous in the breeding season, and hav- 

 ing a small aperture ; proventriculus bulbiform, with oblong 

 glandules ; stomach a powerful gizzard, Math very thick lateral 

 muscles, a prominent distinct inferior muscle, and thick rugous 

 epithelium. Intestine long, and narrow ; the coeca reduced 

 to very small cylindrical adnate mucous tubes. Legs short, of 

 moderate strength ; toes three before, spreading, rather short, 



