268 



VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



marshes and shallow ponds, the shore of the sea, or the banks 

 of rivers or lakes, though some of them keep entirely, or al- 

 most entirely, to the dry land, In accordance with their semi- 

 aquatic, amphibious habits, the Waders are distinguished by 

 the great length of their legs the increase in length being 

 chiefly due to the elongation of the tarso-metatarsus. The 

 legs (Fig. 132) are also unfeathered or naked, as far as the 



FIG. 132. Grallatores. Common Heron (Ardea cinerea). 



lower end of the tibia, at any rate. There are three anterior 

 toes, and usually a short hind-toe ; but the toes are never com- 

 pletely webbed, though they are sometimes partially palmate. 

 The wings are long, and the power of flight is usually consid- 

 erable ; but the tail is very short, and its function as a rudder 

 is chiefly transferred to the long legs, which are stretched out 

 behind in flight. The beak is almost always of great length, 

 generally longer than the head (Fig. 132), and usually more or 

 less pointed, though it is sometimes flattened. In the Avocet 

 the bill is curved upward, instead of being straight, or bent 

 downward, as is generally the case. The typical Waders, as 

 before said, spend most of their time wading about in shallow 



