

Fig. 75. Pelecanus crispus. 



Order XIX. STEGANOPODES. 



This order contains the Pelicnns, Frigate-birds, Cormorants, 

 Gannets or Boobies, and Tropic-birds all distinguished by having 

 the four toes united by a web (fig. 76). There is a great difference 

 between the preceding order the schizognathous Gaviae and that 

 now under consideration. The Steganopodes are desmognathous 

 birds, distinctly connected with the Accipitres, and might have 

 followed the diurnal Birds of Prey in the classification. The 

 orders to be hereafter discussed have more or less connexion with 

 the Stegnnopodes. 



The principal characters of the present order are the following : 

 All four toss united by web, the hsillux well developed and turned 

 inwards. Skull desinognathous and holorhinal ; basipterygoid pro- 

 cesses absent ; angle of mandible truncnted. Furcula generally 

 anchylosed to keel of sternum, least in Sula nnd Phaethon. Oil- 

 gland tufted ; caeca variable ; tongue rudimentary. Deep plantar 

 tandons united by a strong vinculum, and only a slender portion 



