6 



BIKDS OF EASTFRN NORTH AMERICA. 



The Toes are sometimes three or four (the Ostrich has but two), sometimes two in 

 front and two behind ; two in front and one behind ; or, in one family (not North 

 America), all four turned forward. Some families have the toes joined or fused 

 together for part of their length, as in the Kingfisher. Some species have webbed 

 feet, others have the toes armed with curved talous, and so on ; but the various 

 differences with which we wish to become familiar can better be illustrated than 

 desci'ibed . 



Foot of Sparrow 



Foot of three-toed Woodpecker 



Types of Feet. ^ Land Bh-ds. 



THE BILL. 



The Bill consists of an upper and a lower mandible, both of which are 

 movable. The shape is of great assistance in determining the family to which the 

 species belong. Four principal types are recognized : — 



1. Epignathous. Upper mandible longer than lower ; the tip bent or hooked over 

 the end of lower mandible. (Examples : Hawks, Gulls, Petrels, Parrots.) 



2. Hypognathous. Lower mandible, longer than upper mandible. (Examples: 

 Black Skimmers, Khyncliojis .) 



3. Paragnathous. Both mandibles of about equal length. 



4. rietagnathous. Mandibles crossed. (Example: Crossbill. Loxia.) 



