942 
Orver 3. PICI. Woodpeckers. 
All Woodpeckers belong to the one family Picipar. Their habit of clinging to the side of a 
bracing with the stiff tail, and of drilling holes in hard wood, are characteristic. 
Orpver 4. COCCYGES. Cuckoos, Kingfishers. 
The two suborders comprising this group have few external characters in common. The Cu 
are woods birds, the Kingfisher is found in the vicinity of water. The Cuckoos are soberly colo: 
and secretive in habits, the Kingfisher is crested and blue, and noisy. The Cuckoos eat caterpillars and 
other insects, the Kingfisher eats fish and probably other aquatic animals. 
I. Toes 2 in front and 2 behind. 2. Cucutipar. Cuckoos. 
II. 3 toes in front and 1 behind. 1. ALCEDINIDAE. KINGFISHERS. 
Orver 5. RAPTORES. Vultures, Hawks, Eagles, Owls, ete. 
The birds which eat flesh comprise this order, Their hooked bills and strong talons are adapted for 
catching, holding, and tearing prey. The whole group is of prime importance in the balance of nature, 
So few of the individuals are harmful and so many decidedly beneficial that wholesale cond 
should rather give place to commendation and protection except in cases of actual depredation. 
I. Eyes set in a striking facial disk of feathers, looking straight 
forward, 
A. Feathers on back of tarsus growing up. 1. Atuconipar, Barn Ow. 
B. Feathers on back of tarsus growing down. 2. Srricipar. Otner Ow -s. 
II. Eyes not in facial disk, not looking forward. 
A. Head feathered. 3. Fatcontpak. Hawks, EAacies, etc. 
B. Head bare. 4. CATHARTIDAE, VULTURES. 
Orver 6. COLUMBAE. Doves and Pigeons. 
There is only one family in this order, the Cotumnar. The general characters of the birds are 
well illustrated by the domestic pigeons. 
Orver 7. GALLINAZ. Turkeys, Grouse, Pheasants. 
Familiar representatives of this group are the domestic fowls and the turkeys. They are heavy 
bodied, short-winged birds, which are able to get up from the ground quickly and fly short distances 
rapidly. They spend most of the time on the ground and run swiftly. 
I. Middle tail feathers not lengthened. . v. TetraonipaAr. Grouse, QUAILS. 
II, Middle tail feathers excessively lengthened. 2. PHASIANIDAE. PHEASANTS, 
Orpver & PALUDICOLA®. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules. 
These are the swamp- -haunting birds. Only the Cranes can be called true waders, the others skulk 
about in the vegetation or swim in open-water, some gleaning about on land. They feed largely upon 
swamp animal life. 
I. Tarsus under 3 inches. 1. Ratumar. Rams, Coors, Gai 
NULES, 
II, Tarsus over 6 inches. 2. Grumpar. CRANES, 
Orver 9. HERODIONES. Herons, Bitterns. 
These are the true wading birds. The legs are long and slender and bare of feathers except at 
the upper end of the “drum stick,” but the toes are not webbed, The tail feathers are soft and drooping. 
They stand in the water waiting quietly for the prey to approach within striking distance, but some- 
times dash after it. 5 
1. Bill straight, sharply pointed. 1. Arpempar. Bitrerns, Herons. 
Il. Bill curved, blunt ended. 2. Iptprpar. Tnises. 
