THE BIRDS OF MAINE Xlll 



A. Bill pointed, not hooked, but slightly curved at tip. Family Sulidae. 



Gannets. 



B. Bill distinctly hooked. 



1. Bill more than 12 inches long with a large pouch underneath. 



Family Pelecanidje. Pelicans. 



2. Bill less than 12 inches long and without large pouch. Family 



Phalacrocoracidas. Cormorants. 



Order 5, ANSERES — Mergansers, Ducks, Geese and Swans. 



Toes four, only three front ones webbed ; tail always present and readily 

 noticeable ; bill more or less fringed or toothed at edges ; tarsus not 

 strongly flattened. 



A. Bill long, narrow, rounded at end, and provided with serrate or 



toothed edges, to the mandibles. Subfamily Merginae. Mergansers. 



B. Bill flattened and very much the same as that of the domestic Duck 



in appearance. 



1. Lores feathered ; neck shorter than the body. 



a. Tarsus shorter than middle toe, without claw. 



* Hind toe without flap, not lobed — Subfamily Anatinae. River 



Ducks. 

 ** Hind toe provided with a flap or lobe — Subfamily Fuliginae. 



Sea Ducks. 



b. Tarsus longer than middle toe, without claw. Subfamily 



Anserinae Geese. 



2. Lores not feathered; neck as long or longer than the body. 



Subfamily Cygninae. Swans. 



Order 6, HERODIONES — Herons, Storks, Ibises, Egrets, Spoonbills and 

 Bitterns. 

 Legs and neck very long in proportion to the body ; lores not feathered ; 

 toes not webbed or only slightly so, four in number, all on a level ; 

 wading birds. 



A. Bill straight, long-pointed. Family Ardeidae. Herons, Egrets and 



Bitterns. 



B. Bill curved downward and somewhat rounded at point. Family 



Ciconiidae. Storks and Wood Ibises. 



Order 7, PALUDICOL^ — Cranes, Courlans, Rails, Gallinules and Coots. 



Lores feathered ; hind toe inserted higher than the others, or on the 

 same level in which case the forehead has a bare frontal process and 

 the claws are much lengthened (Coots and Gallinules) ; toes four, 

 hind toe rather small, birds of the marsh, bog, mere and muddy 

 ponds ; in case of the Rails skulking about in the reeds and grass. 



Of the families included here the Rallidae only occvurs in Maine. Family 

 Rallidae. Rails, Gallinules and Coots. 



