SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES 

 AMERICAN BIRDS. 



OF NORTH 



The figures are all life-size, except as stated. 



WATER BIRDS. 



ORDER I. GREBES, LOONS, AND AUKS. PYGOPODES. 

 "~*(3 families, 32 species, 3 subspecies.) 



Duck-like birds with the bill usually pointed, never wider than high, 

 and without flutings, 'gutters,' or serrations on its side; wings short, 

 never with a bright colored patch or 'speculum'; tail rudimentary, not 

 noticeable; toes webbed or lobed. Color usually blackish above, white 

 below; the throat often dark. The Grebes and Loons, when pursued, 

 dive rather than fly; the Auks usually take wing. 



PIED-BILLED GREBE. 



Family i. GREBES. PODICIPID^E. 



Toes four, with lobate webs; tipped with a broad nail; tail wanting. 



FOOT OF RAZOR-BILLED AUK. 

 9 



