SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES. 



GREEN HERON. 



Family 20. HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS. 



Bill usually straight and sharply pointed; lores naked; head feathered; tarsus with 

 transverse scales; middle toe-nail pectinate or with a comblike edge. 



ORDER VIII. CRANKS, RAILS, COOTS, GALLINULES, ETC. PALU- 

 _______ DICOL^E. 



(3 families, 16 species, 3 subspecies.) 



Birds varying greatly in size and appearance, but all agreeing (and 

 differing from Herodiones] in having the hind-toe elevated, that is, leav- 

 ing the foot at a higher level than the front toes; tail short; legs 

 usually long. All fly with the neck extended, a fact by which Cranes 

 in flight may be known from Herons. Rails are short-winged skulkers 

 in grassy marshes; Gallinules frequent reedy shores; Coots, which alone 

 of the Order have webbed (lobate) toes, are as aquatic as Ducks, from, 

 which they may be known by their pointed, white bill, nodding motion 

 of the head when swimming, and habit of pattering over the water 

 when alarmed. 



SANDHILL CRANE. 



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