XXXVIIL. 
4. Tarsus entirely feathered. 184. American Rough-legged Hawk. 
C. Under parts neither barred nor streaked. 
1. Under parts not white. 184. American Rough-legeed Hawk. 
2. Under parts white. 
a. Tail square. 187. American Osprey. 
b. Tail deeply forked. 175. Swallow-tailed Kite. 
Family 4. CATHARTIDAE. Vultures. 
The two Vultures found in Ohio are scavengers of great service where they are at all numerous. 
They feed upon all kinds of carrion and offal, even coming into the streets of towns to gather any 
garbage which may be carelessly left by those who have contempt for modern sanitary conditions in 
centers of population. In Ohio they are not so bold nor so numerous as to be very important 
factors in carrion destruction. On the wing they are stately birds, going straight forward as well 
as ascending with little or no flapping of the wings. They have mastered the art of utilizing cur- 
rents of air for propulsion. 
|. Wing about 22 inches long. 188. Turkey Vulture. 
Il. Wing about 17 inches long. 189. Black Vulture. 
OrvEer 7. COLUMBA#. Wild Pigeon, Mourning Dove. 
Family. CorumBar. Pigeons and Doves. 
The two members of this group are too well known to call for extended comment here. They 
are largely grain eaters and weed seed eaters, and are arboreal in contrast to the grouse forms. ‘The 
small head and pointed tail form unmistakable field marks. 
I. Wing about 8 inches long. 190. Passenger Pigeon. 
1I. Wing about 6 inches long. 191. Mourning Dove. 
Orper 8. GALLINA‘. Grouse, Turkeys, Bob-white. 
Family 2. ‘TerRAONtDAr. Grouse, Bob-white. 
It is, perhaps, needless to say that the members of this group are pretty strictly terrestrial. They 
feed upon grains and nuts, but also eat some insects. They are prime game birds. 
] Length about 10 inches. 196. Bob-white. 
Il. Length over 15 inches. 
\. Lower half of tarsus bare. 194. Ruffed Grouse. 
B. Whole tarsus feathered. 195. Prairie Hen. 
Family 1. PHASIANIDAE. Pheasants and Turkeys. 
Of the two species of this group found in Ohio one, the Wild Turkey, is becoming extinct, and 
the other, the Mongolian Pheasant, is just being introduced. The Wild Turkey is the noblest of 
the game birds. 
| Middle tail feathers much lengthened. 192. Mongolian Pheasant. 
Il. Middle tail feathers not much lengthened. 193. Wild Turkey. 
OrpvEer 9. PALUDICOLA®. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules. 
Family 1. Ratiipar. Rails, Coot, Gallinules. 
To this group belong the swamp skulkers. The Coot sometimes takes to open water, often seem- 
ing to prefer to feed there, but it nests in the swamp vegetation. It is difficult to make the Rails 
and Gallinules leave their reedy retreats. They are sure of safety among the reeds and sedges and 
are loth to trust the open air. They glean for food from lily pads and the surface of the water, as 
well as in the mud and water. ‘They eat insects and tadpoles, and probably some vegetation. 
I. Wing over 6 inches. 
A. General plumage brown. 197. King Rail. 
B. General plumage purplish-blue. 202. Purple Gallinule. 
C. General plumage slaty-black. 
1. Toes with lobes; shield on forehead white. 204. American Coot. 
2. Toes without lobes; shield on forehead red. 203. Florida Gallinule. 
il. Wing under 5.50. 
A. Wing under 3.50. 
t. Back blackish, barred with white. 200. Yellow Rail. 
2. Back blackish, spotted with white. 201. Black vail. 
