xvi Introduction. 



FAMILY STI.KINM:, 7'/v 7>rj. The Terns 



have slender, straight, arid long bills, curved and 

 pointed ; tail, forked ; feet, webbed ; wings, very 

 and pointed. 



FAMILY COLYMBIM:. The Divers. I lave 

 long, pointed, and compressed bills ; toes, long 

 and webbed ; legs, situated far behind ; tail, 

 short; wings, short. 



The Sub-Family Podicipince, the Grebes, have 

 short wings ; sides of the head, tufted ; plumage, 

 soft ; bill, long and compressed ; tail, a mere 

 tuft of soft feathers. 



FAMILY ALCIM;. Sub-Family Alcince. The 

 Auks. The Auks are characterized by a short, 

 broad, and strong body ; wings, short ; tail, 

 short ; bill, about as long as the head, and 

 hooked at the base ; legs and feet, stout and 

 strong ; toes, webbed. 



Many species of birds that were quite common 

 in Canada at the beginning of this century, are 

 now rarely seen, and several have become extinct 

 in comparatively recent times. 



