AR RIEIC TAS Kerns 
TO DISTINGUISH THE 
LAND BIRDS AND WATER BIRDS. 
All birds having toes more or less webbed and no feathers 
on the tarsus (all intergradations between figures A and B), 
except the Vultures,* and also all birds having the bill more 
than three inches long, whether the toes are webbed or not, are 
Water Birds. There are also a few Water Birds which do not 
agree with the above description, which may be described as 
vi follows :— 
| 
Sa7//, 
ol ae 
u Dp | t 
“ 
Be 
it, 
My Z 
a 
: LP Tonomis.martinica, 
Gullinules. Rails. Least Bitterns and Small Herons. 
— oF 
~ a 
Be 
ae 
SHORE BiRDS. — The majority of the Shore Birds either have the toes with small web, or 
the bill over three inches long. Those which do not may be recognized by the following 
characters: hind toe, when present, elevated above level of front toes: bill, rather soft; nos- 
tril, a slit; lower portion of tibia (upper part of leg), not feathered; first primary, about 
equal to second. 
GALLINULES. — Rail-like birds, inhabiting marshy places; forehead, covered by a horny 
plate or shield. 
Rats. — Wing, rather short and rounded: toes, long; hind toe, above level of front toes 
(true Rails); first primary, much shorter than second. 
Least BIrTerNs AND SMALL HERONS. —‘Toes, four; lores, bare; inner side of middle 
toe nail, with comb-like edge. 
All other birds are called Land Birds. 
* Several Land Birds have the toes partly webbed, such as the Goatsuckers, Caprimulgide, the Vultures, 
Cathartide, and a few others: but all have the tarsus more or less feathered, except the Vultures, the only Land 
Birds which have webbed toes, and no feathers on the tarsus. 
