OKDEK V. 



GRALLATORES. 



Ch. — Legs, neck, and usually tlio bill, much lengthened. Tibia bare for a certain distance above the tarsal joint. Nostrils 

 exposed. Tail usually very short. The species live along or near the water, more rarely in dry plains, wading, never 

 swimming habitually, except perhaps in the case of the phalaropes. 



The bill of the Grallatores is usually in direct proportion to the length of legs and neck. 

 The toes vary, hut are usually connected at the base by a membrane, which sometimes extends 

 almost or quite to the claws. 



Under the head of the Rasores I have already called attention to the inaccuracy of the table 

 of higher groups on page 2 of the present volume, in reference to the position of the hind toe. 

 In the present order nearly the whole of the Herodiones, instead of having this toe elevated and 

 reduced, have it lengthened, and on or near the same level with the anterior ones. This is 

 especially the case with the Ardeidae, which nest on trees and spend much of their time there. 



The Grallatores, like the Rasores and Natatores, are divisible into two sub-orders, according 

 as the species rear and feed their young in nests, or allow them to shift for themselves. The 

 following diagnoses express the general character of these sub-divisions : 



Herodiones. — Face or lores more or less naked^ or else covered with feathers different from 

 those on the rest of the body, except in some Gruidae. Bill nearly as thick at the base as the 

 skull. Hind toe generally nearly on same level with the anterior. Young reared in nests and 

 requiring to be fed by the parent. 



Grallae. — Lores with feathers similar to those on the rest of the body. Bill contracted at 

 base, where it is usually smaller than the skull. Hind toe generally elevated. Young running 

 about at birth and able to feed themselves. 



