379 1 



Suborder AEDE^E. 



This suborder, containing the Herons and their allies, is holo- 

 rhinal ; the mandible is not produced behind its articulation with 

 the quadrate, and there is only a single incision on each side of 

 the posterior border of the sternum. Cervical vertebrae 18 to 20, 

 Ambiens and accessory femoro-caudal absent, femoro-caudal some- 

 times very small. A pair of tracheo-bronchial muscles present. 

 The spinal bare tract extends far up the neck ; in one genus. 

 Ardetta, the whole back of the neck is naked. 



The suborder is sometimes divided into three families, Ardeidce, 

 Scopidce, and Balcenicijpitidce ; the last two are peculiar to Africa, 

 and their relations to the Ardeidce are variously regarded by 

 different writers. The Ardeidce alone are Indian. 



Family ARDEID^. 



Bill generally slender, straight, grooved at each side of the- 

 upper mandible ; nostrils lateral, in the groove ; legs long ; toes 

 long and slender, a slight web between the outer and middle toes ; 

 hind toe well developed, on the same plane as the others. 



Herons are also distinguished by the presence of powder-down 

 patches on each side of the rump and of the breast, and by the 

 middle claw being pectinated. Most Herons, if not all, keep the 

 neck bent in a curve, so that the head rests between the shoulders 

 when flying, and often when sitting. 



The family is generally distributed, and several genera are 

 Indian. Although many of the Indian Herons move about the 

 country greatly, on account of the varying distribution of water 

 and food at different seasons, the only truly migratory form is- 

 Botaurus', all others are believed to breed in the country. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Tail-feathers 12. 



'. Nude tibia much longer than inner toe 



and claw. 



a". Plumage grey above, varied beneath . . AUDEA, p. 380. 

 b". Plumage white throughout ; culmen 



much shorter than tarsus HERODIAS, p. 385. 



