XXIV INTRODUCTION. 



AsTUR, Laa^Me. — Bill short, bending from the base ; cutting edge of the upper 

 mandible produced, forming a festoon. Nostrils oval. Wings short, reaching 

 only to the middle of the tail-feathers, the fourth quill the longest. Legs 

 stout, the tarsi covered in front with broad scales. Toes of moderate length, 

 the middle toe somewhat the longest, the lateral toes nearly equal, l^ut the 

 inner claws considerably larger than the outer (p. 321). 



AcciPiTER, Bri'sso;!. — Bill bending from the base, short, compressed, superior 

 ridge rounded and narrow, cutting margin of the upper mandible with a 

 distinct festoon. Nostrils oval. Wings short ; the fourth and fifth quill- 

 feathers nearly equal in length, and the longest. Legs long, slender, and 

 smooth. Toes long and slender, the middle toe particularly ; claws curved 

 and sharp (p. 323). 



MiLVUS, Lacepide. — Bill straight at the base, curved from the cere to the point, 

 cutting margin with a slight festoon. Nostrils oval, oblique. Wings long, 

 the third or fourth quill the longest. Tail long, generally forked. Legs 

 short. Toes short and strong ; the outer toe united at its base to the middle 

 toe, but slightly reversible. Claws moderately long and curved (p. 325). 



Pernis, G. Citvier. — Bill slender, rather weak, curved from the base, the 

 cutting edge of the upper mandible nearly straight ; cere large ; nostrils 

 elongated, placed obliquely ; lores closely covered with small scale-like 

 feathers. Wings long and large ; the first quill short, the third and fourth 

 the longest ; inner webs of the first four deeply notched. Tail long. Tarsi 

 short, half-plumed, the rest reticulated ; toes of moderate length and strength ; 

 claws slender and only slightly curved (p. 329). 



Falco, LinncEtts. — Bill short, curved from its base ; a strong projecting tooth 

 on each cutting edge of the upper mandible. Wings long and pointed ; 

 the first and third primaries of equal length, the second longest. Tarsi 

 short, robust ; toes long, strong, armed with curved and sharp claws 

 (P- 331)- 



Pandion, Saz'igny. — Bill short, strong, rounded and broad ; cutting edge 

 nearly straight. Nostrils oblong-oval, oblique. Wings long ; second and 

 third primaries longest. Legs strong and muscular ; tarsi short, covered 

 with reticulated scales. Toes free, nearly equal, the outer toe reversible ; all 

 armed with strong, curved, and sharp claws ; under surface of the toes rough 

 and covered with small pointed scales. Feathers wanting the accessory 

 plumule (p. 347). 



Order STEGANOPODES. 



Family PELECANTD.F. 



Phalacrocorax, Brisson. — Bill moderate, or long, straight, compressed, cul- 

 men rounded ; upper mandible very much curved at the point, hooked ; the 

 base connected with a membrane which extends to the throat. Face and 

 throat naked. Nostrils basal, linear, hidden. Wings of moderate length, 

 the third quill the longest. Tail of twelve or fourteen stiff and rigid feathers. 

 Legs strong, short, abdominal ; three toes in front, and a hind toe articulated 

 on the inner surface of the tarsus, all four united together by membranes ; 

 claw of the middle toe serrated on the inner edge (p. 349). 



SuLA, Brisson. — Bill strong, long, forming an elongated cone, very large at its 



