XXXV111. 



4. Tarsus entirely feathered. 184- American Rough=legged Hawk. 



C Under parts neither barred nor streaked. 



i Under parts not white. 184. American Rough=le?$red Hawk. 

 2. Under parts white. 



a Tail square. 1*7- American Osprey. 



h. Tail deeply forked. 175- Swallow=tailed Kite. 



. 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 

 renters 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. 



I. Wing about 22 inches long. 188. Turkey Vulture. 



II. Wing about 17 inches long. 189. Black Vulture. 



ORDER 7. COLUMB/E. Wild Pigeon., Mourning Dove. 

 family. COLUMBAE. Pigeons and Doves. 



The two members of this group are too well known to call for extended comment here. They 

 arc largely grain eaters and weed seed eaters, and are arboreal in contrast to the grouse forms. The 

 -mall head and pointed tail form unmistakable field mark?. 



I. Wing about 8 inches long. 190. Passenger Pigeon. 



II. Wing about 6 inches long. 191. Mourning Dove. 



ORDKR 8. GALLIN/E. Grouse, Turkeys, Bob-white. 

 Family 2. TETRAONIDAE. Grouse, Bob=white. 



it is, perhaps, needless to say that the members of this 'group are pretty strictly terrestrial. They 

 u-t-d upon grains and nuts, but also eat some insects. They are prime game birds. 



I. Length about 10 inches. 196. Bob=white. 

 il. Length over 15 inches. 



. Lower half of tarsus bare. 194- Ruffed Grouse. 



Whole tarsus feathered. 195- Prairie Hen. 



Family i. PHASIANIDAE. Pheasants and Turkeys. 



Of the two species of this group found in Ohio one, the Wild Turkey, is becoming extinct, and 

 lie other, the Mongolian Pheasant, is just being introduced. The Wild Turkey is the noblest of 

 i lie game birds. 



I. Middle tail feathers much lengthened. 192. Mongolian Pheasant. 



II. Middle tail feathers not much lengthened. 193. Wild Turkey. 



ORDKR 9. PALUDICOUE. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules. 



Family i. RALLIDA^. Rails, Coot, Gallinules. 



i o this group belong the swamp skulkers. The Coot sometimes takes to open water, often seem- 



mf j l ?v i t0 i feed therc> but it: nests in the swam P vegetation. It is difficult to make the Rails 



1 Oallmules 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 



i the mud and water. They eat insects and tadpoles, and probably some vegetation. 

 Wing over 6 inches. 



A. General plumage brown. i 97 . King Rail. 



B. Genera plumage purplish-blue. 202. Purple Qallinule. 

 General plumage slaty-black. 



i. Toes with lobes; shield on forehead white. 204. American Coot. 



:s without lobes; shield on forehead red. 203. Florida Gallinule. 

 JI. Wing under 5.50. 

 A. Wing under 3.50. 



i. Back blackish, barred with white. 200. Yellow Rail. 



back blackish, spotted with white. 201. black .ail. 



