22 BIRDS. 



their origin, or slightly connected; back-toe weak, 

 and often raised from the ground. 



39. CHARADRIUS. Bill straight, slender, obtuse: nostrils 

 linear: feet 3-toed, all placed forwards. 



40. CURSORIUS. Bill roundish, acute, slightly curved at 

 the point : gape very large : nostrils ovate : tongue 

 acute : legs very long, with 3 toes all placed for- 

 wards. 



41. H/EMATOPUS. -S/'/Hong, straight, compressed, wedge- 

 shaped at the end : nostrils linear : tongue short ; toes 

 3, all placed forwards, the middle-one connected to 

 the outer as far as the lirst joint. 



42. RALLUS. z7/ slender, compressed,, slightly incurved: 

 nostrils small : tongue rough at the end : body com- 

 pressed : wings and tail short : feet 4-toed, cloven to 

 their origin. 



43. GALLINULA. Bill thick at the base, sloping to the 

 point ; the upper-mandible reaching far up the fore- 

 head, where it becomes membranaceous : body com- 

 pressed : wings and tail short : feet 4-toed, cloven to 

 their origin.. 



ORDER VII. PINNATIPEDES; 



Sill more or less cylindrical : legs long, naked above the knees : 

 fats divided to their origin ^ Kith a membrane running down 

 their whole length each side. 



44. PHALAROPUS. Bill straight, slightly inflected at the 

 point : nostrils minute : feet 4-toed ; the toes furnished 

 with pinnate or toothed membranes. 



45. FULICA. Bill short, strong, sloping to the point, 

 running far up the forehead which is bald : nostrils ob- 

 long, pervious : body compressed : tail short : toes 4, 

 furnished with a scalloped membrane. 



46. PODICEPS. 'Bill straight, slender, pointed : nostrils 

 linear: tongue slightly cloven : lores bare of feathers : 

 body a little depressed: tail none: legs compressed; 

 the shanks with a double row of serratures behind : 

 toes 4, connected at the base, furnished with a simple 

 membrane : claws flaf, rounded. 



ORDER VIII. PALMIPEDES. 



Toes connected with each other by a web. 



47. RECURVIROSTR A . Rill long, slender, very weak, de- 

 pressed, bowed upwards : nostrils oblong, pervious : 

 tongue short: toes 4, with deeply lunate webs; the 

 back-toe small, lax, raised above the ground. 



48. ALCA. 'Bill strong, thick, convex, compressed, often 

 grooved : nostrils linear, placed near the edges 



