CHARACTERS OF THE ORDERS. 101 



flattened beneath ; one behind, in the same plane, shorter than 

 the two lateral, which are equal ; the third or middle toe much 

 longer ; claws short, compressed, moderately arched, rather 

 blunt. Wings long, straight, more or less pointed, with the 

 second, third, and fourth quills longest. Fig. 36, cmd PI. 

 VII. 



ORDER III. DEGLUBITORES. HUSKERS. 



Bill short, or of moderate length, very strong, conical ; 

 upper mandible slightly emarginate at the base, with a very 

 short, broad, feathered nasal membrane, its edges involute, the 

 tip acute. CEsophagus gradually dilated above into a mem- 

 branous bag of moderate size, lying on the right side, and 

 sometimes curving round the back of the neck ; proventricu- 

 lus oblong, w^ith cylindrical glandules. Stomach a powerful 

 gizzard, with very thick lateral muscles, a prominent inferior 

 muscle, and thick rugous epithelium. Intestine short and 

 rather w^ide ; coeca minute, oblong, adnate. Feet rather short, 

 of moderate strength ; toes compressed, three before, mode- 

 rately spreading ; one behind, stronger but shorter than the 

 two lateral, which are equal, and much exceeded by the third, 

 the latter united at the base to the fourth ; claws rather long, 

 arched, much compressed, acute. Wings of moderate length, 

 acute, but with the three or four outer quills nearly equal, tho 

 first, w^hich is extremely small, not included. Fig. 87, and 

 PL VIII. 



ORDER IV. VAGATORES. WANDERERS. 



Bill of moderate length, strong, tapering, compressed, pointed; 

 upper mandible with a rather long basal sinus, filled by the 

 nasal membrane, which is covered by stiiF reversed feathers. 



