THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 85 
Famity 17.—Plataleide. Spoonbills ; 1 species. 
Famity 18.—Ibidide. Ibises ; 4 species. 
FaMILy 19.—Ciconiide. Storks and Wood Ibises ; 2 
species. 
FamILy 20. — Ardeide. Herons, Bitterns, etc.; 15 
species. 
ORDER VIIL—PALUDICOL® (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.—Gruide. Cranes ; 3 species. 
FaMILy 22.—Aramide. Courlans ; 1 species. 
Famity 23.—Rallide. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots ; 
17 species. 
ORDER IX.—LIMICOL2 (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 tibiz 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.—Phalaropodide. Phalaropes; 3 species. 
Fami.y 25.—Recurvirostride. Avocets and Stilts; 2 
species. 
Famity 26.—Scolopacide, Snipes and Sandpipers; 43 
species. 
FamiLy 27.—Charadriide. Plovers; 13 species. 
FamiLy 28.—Aphrizide. Surf Birds and Turnstones; 
8 species. 
FaMILy 29.—Haematopodide. Oyster-catchers; 4 spe- 
cies. 
Famity 30.—Jacanide. Jacanas; 1 species. 
