INTRODUCTION. 



XXVI I 



ffonvs the tip either compressed and truncate or depressed and acute. 

 Feet three-toed and witli basal webbing {lice ma (op us), or ibur-toed and 

 cMt (Sfrepsilas) Jhetnatopodidce, 



Leo-s moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, reticulate. Hind toe wanting 

 (except in S<iuafar(}hi, where ve'V small, and in Aphriza). Bill short, 

 straight, — not exceeding the head (generally shorter), — shaped likt- a 

 pigeon's, with short, broad, soft nasal loss* separated by a constriction Irom 

 the enlargetl, obtuse, horny terminal part. Head large, globose, contracting 

 suddenly to the bill. Neck short . • ... • . • CharadriklcE. 



Legs moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, seutcHaie. Hind toe present. 

 Bill long, — equalling, or oftener exceeding, frequently several times longer 

 than, the head : sottish and memliranous to the very tip. without constric- 

 tion in its continuity ; straight or variously curved .... Scolojmcidce. 

 Toes lobate. Tarsi notably compressed. 



General characters of Scohpacida. Body depressed; the under plumage 

 thickened, duck-like. Habits natatorial PhaJaropodidce. 



Analysis of Families of HER0X>I0NES. 



Hallux lengthened, perfectly incumbent, with large claw. Tarsi scutellate. Mid- 

 dle claw pectinate. Bill perfectly straight, tapering, acute. Loral region defi- 

 nitely naked, continuous with covering of the bill. Head narrow, elongate, 

 tapering .............. Ardeidce. 



ILiUux somewhat reduced, less perfectly incum])ent. Tarsi commonly reticulate. 

 Midille claw not pectinate. Lores, gular space and usually more of the head, 

 naked. Bill variously curved or with expanded tip. (Genera Tantahis, Ibis. 

 Myclerittj and Phitalea.) ........... TantaJidce. 



Analysis of Families of ALECTORIDES. 



Of crreat stature, with extrenielv lontr neck and Iciifs. Part or all of the head 

 bare. Toes much shorter than the tarsi; with basal webbing, l>ut with<jut loba- 

 tion ; hallux very short, highly elevated. Bill equalling or exceeding the head, 

 compressed, perfectly straight, contracted about the middle, with enlarged acute 

 terminal portion; nasal fossie wide and deep, with large perforate nostrils . Gruldce. 



Size moderate and small ; neck and legs comparatively short. Head com- 

 pletely feathered, excepting, in the Coots and Gallinules. a broad horny frontal 

 plate. Toes equalling or exeeeding the tarsi, simple or lobate. Bill not con- 

 stricted in the middle, rather shorter than the head, straight and (piite stout; or 

 much longer, retjularlv slender and decurved, with lonjr nasal fosste. Nostrils 

 incompletely or not perforate Rallidce, 



Analysis of Families of LAMELLIROSTRES. 



Of great stature, with extraordinarily lengthened neck and legs. Bill of unique 

 shape, bent abruj^tly down from the middle. Tibiic naked below. Hind toe 

 minute or absent. Wings rounded. Red the ehief color . . . PhirnkopterklcE. 



Of moderate size : the neck short, or, when lengthened, not accompanied by 

 co-ordinately lengi hened legs, these being always shorter ^ian the wing. Bill 

 straight. Tibia? feathered below. Hind toe j)resent : well developed and func- 

 tional, though short Anatidce. 



