INTRODUCTION. XXvii 



gonys, the tip either compressed and truncate or depressed and acute. 

 Feet three-toed and with basal webbing (Hcematojnis), or four-toed and 

 cleft (Strepsilas) Hcematopodidce. 



Legs moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, reticulate. Hind toe wanting 

 (except in Squatarola, where very small, and in Aphriza). Bill short, 

 straight, — not exceeding the head (generally shorter), — shaped like a 

 pigeon's, with short, broad, soft nasal fossse separated by a constriction from 

 the enlarged, obtuse, horny terminal part. Head large, globose, contracting 

 suddenly to the bill. Neck short CharadriidcE. 



Legs moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, scutellate. Hind toe present. 

 Bill long, — equalling, or oftener exceeding, frequently several times longer 

 than, the head ; softish and membranous to the very tip, without constric- 

 tion in its continuity ; straight or variously curved .... Scolopacidce. 

 Tees lobate. Tarsi notably compressed. 



(xeneral characters of Scolopacidce. Body depressed; the under plumage 

 thickened, duck-like. Habits natatorial Phalaropodidce. 



Analysis of Families of HERODIONES. 



Hallux lengthened, perfectly incumbent, with large claw. Tarsi scutellate. Mid- 

 dle claw pectinate. Bill perfectly straight, tapering, acute. Loral region defi- 

 nitely naked, continuous with covering of the bill. Head narrow, elongate, 

 tapering Ardeidce. 



Hallux somewhat reduced, less perfectly incumbent. Tarsi commonly reticulate. 

 Middle claw not pectinate. Lores, gular space and usually more of the head, 

 naked. Bill variously curved or with expanded tip. (Genera Tantalus, Ibis, 

 Mycteria, and Platalea.) ........... Tantalidce. 



Analysis of Families of ALECTORIDES. 



Of great stature, with extremely long neck and legs. Part or all of the head 

 bare. Toes much shorter than the tarsi ; with basal webbing, but without loba- 

 tion ; hallux very short, highly elevated. Bill equalling or exceeding the head, 

 compressed, perfectly straight, contracted about the middle, with enlarged acute 

 terminal portion ; nasal fossae wide and deep, with large perforate nostrils . Gruidoe. 



Size moderate and small ; neck and legs comparatively short. Head com- 

 pletely feathered, excepting, in the Coots and G-allinules, a broad horny frontal 

 plate. Toes equalling or exceeding the tarsi, simple or lobate. Bill not con- 

 stricted in the middle, rather shorter than the head, straight and quite stout; or 

 much longer, regularly slender and decurved, with long nasal fossie. Nostrils 

 incompletely or not perforate . . . . , . . . . . Rallidce. 



Analysis of Families of LAMELLIROSTRES. 



Of great stature, with extraordinarily lengthened neck and legs. Bill of unique 

 shape, bent aliruptly down from the middle. TibiiB naked below. Hind toe 

 minute or absent. Wings rounded. Red the chief color . . . Phoenicopteridce. 



Of moderate size; the neck short, or, when lengthened, not accompanied by 

 co-ordinately lengthened legs, these being always shorter than the wing. Bill 

 straight. Tibiae feathered below. Hind toe present ; well developed and func- 

 tional, though short ............ Anatidce. 



