32 



Nostrils near base of bill, 



Red-breasted Merganser. 

 B. Edges of mandibles smooth. 



Length 30-36 inches, Loon. 



Length 24 inches, Herrin(; Gull, 



2. Front toes not webbed bnt edged with wide flaps- 



A. Forehead protected by a broad, horny shield, Coot. 



B. No such shield. 



Length 19 inches, Holboell's Grebe. 



Length 13 inches, ' Common Grebe. 



3. Toes neither webbed nor edged with wide flaps. 

 A. Til)iae naked below. 



a. Outer and middle toe grown together for most of 

 length. Belted Kingfisher. 



aa. Toes not so united, 

 b. Size large ; length IG inches or over, 

 c. Color pure white. 



Length 24 inches, Snowy Heron. 



Length 36-42 inches, American Egret. 



cc. Color not white, 

 d. Tail feathers 10, Bittern. 



dd. Tail feathers 12. 

 e. Length 42 inches or more. Great Blue Heron. 

 ee. Length 26 inches or less, 

 f. Length 23-26 inches. Night Heron. 



ff. Length 16-18 inches. 



Bill much under 3 inches. Green Heron. 

 Bill much over 3 inches, Hudsonian Curlew. 

 bb. Size small ; length under 15 inches, 

 c. Tail feathers 10, Least Bittern. 



cc. Tail feathers 12 or more. 

 d. Length 7 inches or less. 



Beneath brownish-yellow. Yellow Rail. 



Beneath white, Least Sandpiper. 



