101* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



ORDER HERODIONES. THE HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC. 



CHABACTEKS. Altricial ptilopaedic Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened and 

 nearly or quite Incumbent; palate desmognathous: carotids double; habits more or less 

 arboreal. 



The Order Herodiones includes several distinct groups, which 

 may be defined as follows: 



a 1 . Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterruptedly 



from the nostrils to the tip Suborder Ibides. 



*. Sides of upper mandible without any groove. 



6 1 . Hind toe inserted above the level of the anterior toes; claws broad and flat, 

 resting on a heavy pad or shoe, the middle one not pectinated. 



Suborder Cico uae. 



6*. Hind toe inserted on the same level as the anterior toes; claws narrow, 

 arched, the under surface free, and the middle one with its inner edge 

 pectinated, Suborder Herodii. 



SUBORDER IBIDES. THE SPOONBILLS AND IBISES. 



Families. 



a*. Bill very broad and excessively flattened, greatly widened toward end, only the ex- 

 treme tip decurved Plataleidse. 



. Bill slender, nearly cylindrical, or even narrower than deep toward end, gradually 

 but decidedly decurved for nearly whole length Ibididse. 



