STORKS. Family Ciconiido; : Bill long, heavy 

 and curved near the end; head and upper neck Dare. 



HERONS, BITTERNS, EGRETS. Family Ardei- 

 dee: Bill long, straight and pointed; head usually 

 crested, and back often with plumes. Herons fly 

 with a fold in the neck, and the back of the head 

 resting against the shoulders. 



ORDER 8. MARSH BIRDS. Paludicolse. 



Birds of this order, vary greatly in size and ap- 

 pearance ,but all agree in having the hind toe ele- 

 vated, whereas that of the members of the last or- 

 der, leaves the foot on a level with the front toes; 

 neck extended in flight. 



CRANES. Family Grudidce: Very large and 

 heron-like, but with plumage close feathered; top of 

 head bare; bill long, slender and obtusely pointed. 



COURLANS. Family Aramido?: Size mid-way 

 between the cranes and rails; bill long and slender. 



RAILS, ETC. Family Rallid^: Bills are varia- 

 ble, but toes and legs long; wings short; flight slow 

 and wavering; marsh skulkers, hiding in rushes. 

 Gallinules have a frontal shield on the forehead, 

 Coots have lobate-webbed feet; short, whitish bills. 



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