Introduction. xiii 



short and stout bills ; wings, long and pointed ; 

 legs, black and slender ; toes, three before and 

 one behind ; plumage, very variable. 



ORDER IV. RASORES or SCRATCHERS. 



Comprises birds which live mainly upon the 

 ground, and feed principally upon berries, buds, 

 tender leaves, and grain ; such as Doves, Grouse, 

 Partridges, and Turkeys. 



FAMILY TETRAONID^E. The Grouse. The 

 legs are densely feathered ; toes, naked ; tail, has 

 sixteen feathers, sometimes eighteen ; plumage, 

 black, brown, and mottled. 



ORDER V. GRALLATORES or WADERS. 



Birds of this Order live near the water, and 

 comprise the Herons, Cranes, Bitterns, Plovers, 

 Snipes, Phalaropes, Sandpipers, and Rails. 



FAMILY ARDEID^:. The Herons. The birds 

 of this Family have very long and strong bills ; 

 legs, very long and slender, middle toe con- 

 nected with the outer by a basal web ; head, 

 crested ; throat, tufted with long feathers. 



