94^ 



Okukr 3. I'lCI. Woodpeckers. 



AH Woodpeckers belong to the one family Picidae. Tlieir habit of chnging to the side of a tree, 

 bracing with the stiff tail, and of drilling holes in hard wood, are characteristic. 



(Jkuick 4. COCCYCjES. Ctickoos. Kiiigtishcrs. 



The two suborders comprising this group have few external characters in common. The Cuckoos 

 are woods birds, the Kingfisher is found in the vicinity of water. The Cuckoos are soberly colored 

 and secretive in habits, the Kmgfishcr is crested and bine, and noisy. The Cuckoos eat caterpillars and 

 other insects, the Kingfisher eats fish and probably nthcr aquatic animals. 



I. Toes 2 in front and 2 behind. 2. Cuct'i.lD.-MC. CuCKOOS. 



II. 3 toes in front and i beliind. I. .-\LCKiitxin.AF.. KiNGFlSHKRS. 



Okdi-r 5. Rx\PTORES. Xulturcs J lawks, Eagles, Owls, etc. 



The birds which cat flesh comprise this order. Their hooked bills and strong talons are adapted for 

 catching, holding, and tearing prey. The whole group is of prime importance in the balance of nature. 

 So few of the individuals are hannful and so many decidedly beneficial that wholesale condemnation 

 should rather give place to commendation and protection except in cases of actual depredation. 



I. Eyes set in a striking facial disk of feathers, looking straight 



forward. 



A. Feathers on back of tarsus growing up. I. Aluconidae. Barn Owl. 



B. Feathers on back of tarsus growing down. 2. Strigidae. Other Owls. 



II. Eyes not in facial disk, not looking forward. 



A. Head feathered. .3. Falconidae. Hawks. Eagles, etc. 



B. Head liare. 4. Cathartipae. X'fLirRES. 



Order 6. COLUMn.E. Doves and Pigeons. 



There is only one family in this order, the Colu.meae. The general characters of the birds are 

 well illustrated by the domestic pigeons. 



( )rdi;r 7. COLLIN. E. Turkeys, (irotise. Pheasants. 



Fanuliar representatives of this group are the domestic fowls and the turkeys. They are heavy 

 bodied, short-winged birds, which are able to get up from the ground quickly and fly short distances 

 rapidly. They spend most of the time on the ground and run swiftly. 



I. Middle tail feathers not lengthened. i: Tetraonidae. C.rouse. Quails. 



II. Middle tail feathers excessively lengthened. 2. PHASiANinAE. Pheasants. 



Ordhr 8. P.\LUDICOE.E,. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallintiles. 



These are the swamp-haunting birds. Only the Cranes can be called true waders, the others skulk 

 about in the vegetation or swim in open water, some gleaning about on land. They feed largely upon 

 swamp animal life. 



I. Tarsus under 3 inches. i. Rallhiae. Rah.s. Coots, Gallt- 



nules. 



II. Tarsus over 6 inches. 2. Gri-iiiae. Cranes. 



OuDER 0- HEROIHO.XES. Heron>, P.ittcriis. 



ft 

 These are the true wading bird^. The legs are long and slender and bare of feathers except at 

 the upper end of the "drutn stick." but the toes are not webbed. The tail feathers are soft and drooping. 

 They stand in the water w'aiting quietly for the prey to approach within striking distance, but some- 

 times dash after it. 



I. Bill straight, sharply pointed. I. Ardeidae. Bitterns. Herons. 



II. Bill curved, blunt ended. 2. Ibiuidae. Ibises. 



