KEY TO FAMILIES. — WATER BIRDS. 17 
GROUP 4. 
Toes, four; toes, not full webbed; small webs between 
toes at base, or toes entirely without webs; hind toe, 
sometimes small. 
Section |. Hind toe, raised above level of front toes. 
De 
Avocet. Avocet. 
‘Tarsus, over 3.50 inches long; bill, curved upward or straight. 
Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE. Avocets. 
See page 106. 
Hind toe, higher than front toes; tarsus, less than 3.50 inches long; middle toe and claw 
together shorter than bill, except a few of the small species, which have middle toe and claw 
equal to or longer than bill; but all such have the belly and under tail coverts pure white in 
most plumages. Family SCOLOPACIDAE. Snipe, Curlews, Sandpipers, etc. 
See page 107. 
Hind toe, higher than front ones: lower 
back and rump, white, with black band. 
Family APHRIZIDA2, Turnstones. 
See page 129. 
