Explanation of Keys and Desceiptions 15 



2. Hind toe connected by web with the inner one of the front toes, the front toes 

 also well webbed. Steganopodes — Gannets, Cormorants, Pelicans, etc. 



2. Hind toe not connected with the front ones l)y web. See 3. 



3. Bill lamellate, its cutting edges fringed or serrated. Anseres — Ducks, Geese, 



and Swans. 



3. Bill not lamellate. See 4. 



4. Legs inserted far behind middle of the body, which in a standing position is 



nearly upright. Pygopodes — Grebes, Loons, and Auks. 



4. Legs inserted about the middle of the body, which in standing position is nearly 



horizontal. See 5. 



5. Nostrils tubular. Tubinares — Albatrosses, Petrels, and Fulmars. 



5. Nostrils not tubular. Longipennes — Jaegers, Gulls, and Terns. 



6. Waders. Tibia more or less naked below, the tarsus more or less elongate. 



See 7. 



6. Land Birds. Tibia usually entirely feathered, tarsus of moderate length. 



See 9. 



7. Hind toe well developed, and usually inserted on same level as rest; the loral 



or orbital regions, or both, sometimes the whole head, bare of feathers. 

 Herodiones — Herons, Storks, and Ibises. 



7. Hind toe, if present, small and inserted above level of rest; or, if not, length of 



bird less than 36 inches. Loral and orbital regions feathered, and middle 

 claw not pectinate. See 8. 



8. Length of bird 24 inches or less; hind toe, if present, short and elevated. Liini- 



coloe — Phalaropes, Snipes, and Plovers. 



8. If length of bird is less than 36 inches, the hind toe is inserted on same level 



as the rest; if over 36 inches in length, the hind toe is short and elevated. 

 Paludicolo' — Cranes, Rails, and Gallinules. 



9. Bill strongly hooked, with a distinct cere at base. See 10. 



9. Bill not strongly hooked, or, if so, without a naked cere at base of upper man- 

 dible. See 11. 

 10. Toes three in front, one behind, the outer toe sometimes reversible. Raptores — 

 Vultures, Hawks, and Owls. 



10. Toes two in front, two behind. Psittaci — Parrots. 



11. Hind toe short, decidedly elevated; toes webbed at base; no soft skin about 



nostrils. Gallince — Turkeys, Grouse, and Bob-whites. 



11. Hind toe on about the same level as rest. See 12. 



12. Nostrils opening beneath a soft, swollen, cere-like membrane. Hind claw short. 



Columhce — Pigeons and Doves. 



12. Nostrils not opening beneath a swollen membrane or cere. See 13. 



13. Tail feathers stiff and pointed; bill chisel-like and front toes two only. Pici — 



Woodpeckers. 



13. Not with the preceding combination of characters. See 14. 



14. Toes two in front, or else outer and middle toes connected for half their length. 



Gape not deep. Tail-feathers soft. Coccyges — Cuckoos, Kingfishers, etc. 



