NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



g*. Hind toe (if present) small and inserted above the 

 level of the rest, or else size small or medium 

 (never as much as 3 feet long) ; loral and orbital 

 regions fully feathered, and middle claw with edge 

 not pectinated. 



h l . If more than 3 feet long, the hind toe short and 

 elevated ; if under 3 feet long, the hind toe on 

 same level with anterior toes. 



Order Paludicolae. (Page 134.) 



h*. Never over 3 feet long (usually much less), the 



hind toe (if present) short and elevated, or 



else the claws excessively lengthened and 



wings spurred. 



Order Limicolae. (Page 143.) 



/ J . Lower portion of thighs feathered (or else middle and 

 outer toes united for at least half their length), the 

 bill if lengthened not grooved along the side. 

 g l . Bill strongly hooked, with a distinct naked cere at 

 base of upper mandible ; or if no naked cere, the 

 toes 2 in front and 2 behind. 

 h l . Toes 3 in front, or else outer toe reversible. 



Order Raptores. (Page 218.) 

 A*. Toes 2 in front, 2 behind (outer toe permanently 



reversed) Order Psittaci. (Page 268.) 



g*. Bill not strongly hooked, and without naked cere 

 at base of upper mandible ; or if with a cere, the 

 latter swollen and the bill straight. 

 h l . Hind toe small and elevated, or else bill with- 

 out soft swollen cere. 



Order Gallinse. (Page 184.) 

 A f . Hind toe (or toes) well developed and on same 



level with anterior toes. 



i l . Bill with soft swollen cere at base of upper 

 mandible. Order Columbae. (Page 210.) 

 i*. Bill without soft swollen cere. 

 /. Wings very long, with 10 quills, tail 

 of 10 feathers, and gape very wide 

 and deeply cleft, or else bill long 

 and slender, tongue extensile, and 

 secondaries only 6 in number. 



Order Macrochires. (Page 297.) 



j*. Wings not very long and gape not very 



wide nor deeply cleft, or else wing 



with only 9 quills and tail-feathers 



12 in number. 



