SYNOPSIS OF THE b 



Order IV. CLAMATORES. Toes, three anterior and one pos- 

 terior (not versatile). Primaries always ten; the first nearly as 

 long as the second. Tail-feathers usually twelve. 



b. Anterior face of the tarsus in one continuous plate, or divided 

 transversely into large quadrate scales. Plates on either the pos- 

 terior surface of the tarsus or the sides, without subdivisions, never 

 both divided together : when divided, the divisions correspond 

 with the anterior ones. Larynx with peculiar complex singing 

 muscles. 



Order V. OSCINES. Toes, three anterior, one posterioi. 

 Primaries, either nine only ; or, if ten, the first usually short or 

 spurious. 



B. HIND TOE RAISED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE REST. 



Order VI. RASORES. Nostrils arched over by an incumbent 

 thick, fleshy valve. Bill not longer than the head, obtuse anteri- 

 orly. Nails broad, obtusely rounded. 



Order VII. GRALLATORES. Legs lengthened, adapted for 

 walking, naked above the knee. Nostrils naked. Thighs usually 

 quite free from the body. Toes not connected by a membrane, or 

 for a short distance only ; sometimes with a lobed margin. 



Order VIII. NATATORES. Adapted for swimming. Legs 

 generally short. Toes united by a continuous membrane. Thighs 

 mostly buried in the muscles of the body. 



