120 



KEY TO FAMILIES 



Fia. 28. 



Fia. 31. 



J 



3 



FIQ. 29. 



FIG. 32. 



Order IV. Steganopodes. GANNETS, CORMORANTS, PELICANS, etc. 



Large birds, two feet or more in length, differing widely in appearance 

 and habits; in external structure agreeing in having all four toes con- 

 nected by webs (Fig. 29), though in the Fregatidce and Phaethontidce 

 this character is poorly developed. 



A. Bill unhooked, more or less sharply pointed (Figs. 27, 28, 30). 

 a. Chin feathered, adult with very long central tail-feathers; 



maritime; general appearance ternlike; rarely enters United 

 States. . . Family Phaethontidce: TROPIC BIRDS (Fig. 28), p. 178. 

 6. Chin bare; central tail-feathers not greatly lengthened. 



6 1 . Sea-birds with thick necks and stout bills, central tail- 



feathers without transverse flutings. . . . Family Sulidce: 

 GANNETS (Fig. 27), p. 179. 



6 2 . In whole or part black or blackish; fresh-water or coast 



birds, with straight, slender bills (Fig. 30), central tail- 

 feathers fluted. . . . Family Anhingidce: DARTERS, p. 181. 



B. Bill hooked (Figs. 31, 32). 

 a. Lores bare, tail not forked. 



a 1 . Bill over 12-00, with a large pouch. . . . Family Pelicanidce: 



PELICANS, p. 183. 



a 2 . Bill under 4'00 (Fig. 31), no large pouch; black or blackish 



birds. . . . Family Phalacrocoracidce: CORMORANTS, p. 182. 



6. Lores feathered; tail deeply forked (Fig. 32). f t . 



Fregatida; MAN-O'-WAR-BIRDS, p. 185, 



