AVES. 213 
modern investigations is outlined by Stejneger in the Standard 
Natural History. The following largely artificial key to the 
Orders recognized by the Am. Orn. Assoc. is partly arranged from 
the key given by hidgway (Man. N. Am. Birds). 
Orders of Aves. 
A. STERNUM KEELED: (CARINAT#). 
a. Feet totipalmate, the hind toe well developed and all four toes full-webbed ; 
palate desmognathous. . . . * «© « « MSTEGANOPODES, XXXIV. 
aa. Feet not totipalmate, the hind foe, if present, not connected with the 
others. 
6. Feet palmate, the anterior toes full-webbed or nearly so (or lobate, with 
the claws broad, nail-like) (tarsus not specially elongate, and the tibia 
little if any naked below, in our species). 
c. Bill not lamellate, its cutting edge entire; schizognathous. (Cecomor- 
phe Huxley, Stejneger.) 
d. Legs inserted far behind the middle of the body, which in standing 
position is more or less erect. . . .. . PyYGoropEs, XXXk 
dd. Legs not inserted far behind the middle of the body, which in a 
standing position has its axis nearly horizontal; wings usually 
very long. 
e. Nostrils not tubular. . . . . . . .~ LONGIPENNES, XXXII. 
. Nostrils tubular. ... Sie le > LUBENARHS, XXX UI 
ce. Bill lamellate, its cutting edges sere or fringed. 
ANSERES, XXXYV. 
bb. Feet not palmate (with rare exceptions), the toes cleft, or webbed at 
base or on sides (full-webbed only in a few waders, with very long 
tarsus and the tibia partly naked). 
J. Waders, tibia usually more or less naked below; the tarsus more 
or less elongate. 
g- Hind toes well developed and usually inserted on same level 
as anterior toes, the claws never excessively lengthened ; 
loral or orbital regions or both naked; desmognathous. 
HeEroptonEs, XXXVI, 
gg. Hind toe, if present, small and inserted above level of the 
the rest (or else size moderate). L. less than 36 inches; the 
loral and orbital regions feathered, the middle claw not pec- 
tinate); schizognathous. (Graile.) 
h. Hind toe short and elevated (or if the bird is less than 
3 feet long, the hind toe almost on the level of anterior 
toes). .%. - »« PALUDICOLA, XXX Val. 
hh. Hind toe (if ereeent) stent and distinctly elevated (length 
never more than 2 feet). . . Lrwrcota, XXXVIII. 
Jf. Not waders; tibia mostly entirely feathered ; tarsus not greatly 
a 
. Bill strongly hooked, with a distinct cere at base; 
desmognathous. 
j- Toes 3 in front; 1 behind, the outer toe sometimes 
reversible. . . . - . Raprorsgs, XLI. 
jj. Toes 2 in front; 2 behind, the outer toe perma- 
nently, revered. 31. 2 20/.0) Perrract, XLIL 
