THE BIEDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 85 



FAMILY 17. Plataleidce. Spoonbills ; 1 species. 



FAMILY 18. Ibididce. Ibises ; 4 species. 



FAMILY 19. Ciconiidce. Storks and Wood Ibises ; 2 



species. 

 FAMILY 20. Ardeidce. Herons, Bitterns, etc. ; 15 



species. 



ORDER VIII. PALUDICOL^E (CRANES, RAILS, ETC.). 



Toes four; middle toe without a comb, generally not 

 webbed ; hind toe generally small, higher than front 

 ones, or when on the same level (Gallinules and Coots 

 only), the bill is comparatively short and stout, and the 

 forehead has a bare shield ; lores feathered, or with hair- 

 like bristles (Cranes). 



FAMILY 21. Gruidce. Cranes ; 3 species. 



FAMILY 22. Aramidce. Courlans ; 1 species. 



FAMILY 23.Rallidce. Bails, Gallinules, and Coots ; 

 17 species. 



ORDER IX. LIMICOL^E (SHORE BIRDS). 



Toes four or three ; the hind toe, when present, less than 

 half the length of the inner one, and always elevated 

 above the others ; legs generally long and slender, the 

 lower half of the tibiae bare ; bill, in the true Snipe, gener- 

 ally long, slender, and soft, the nostrils opening through 

 slits or grooves ; wings long and pointed, the first primary 

 generally the largest. 



FAMILY 24. Phalaropodidce. Phalaropes; 3 species. 

 FAMILY 25. Recurvirostridce. Avocets and Stilts; 2 



species. 

 FAMILY 26. Scolopacidce. Snipes and Sandpipers ; 43 



species. 



FAMILY 27. Charadriidce. Plovers; 13 species. 

 FAMILY 28. Aphrizidce. Surf Birds and Turnstones; 



3 species. 



FAMILY 29. Hcematopodidce. Oyster-catchers; 4 spe- 

 cies. 

 FAMILY 30. Jacanidce. Jacanas; 1 species. 



