126 



KEY TO FAMILIES 



FIQ. 49. 



Ficu 50. 



b. Middle-toe without a comblike edge. . . . Family Strigid(E > 



p. 309. 

 B. Eyes not set in a feathered disk, tarsus largely bare; plumage 



firm and close. 

 a. Front of tarsus with square scales. 



a 1 . Bill not strongly hooked; toe-nails comparatively weak; 

 nostrils large, piercing the bill; head and more or less of 

 neck bare (Fig. 49). . . . Family Cathartidce: AMERICAN 

 VULTURES, p. 286. 



a 2 . Bill strongly hooked (Fig. 50); hind-toe generally as long as 

 or longer than the shortest front one; claws large; head 

 not bare. . . . Family Buteonida: HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES, 

 p. 287. 

 &. Front of tarsus with rounded scales. 



b 1 . Soles of feet thickly set with sharp spicules (Fig. 20). . . . 



Family Pandionida: OSPREYS, p. 307. 



6 2 . Soles of feet without spicules. . . . Family Falconida: 

 FALCONS, CARACARAS, etc., p. 303. 



Order XIII. Psittaci. PARROTS, 



PAROQUETS, etc. 

 Toes four, two in front, two 

 behind; bill strong, hooked, 

 with a cere; lower mandible 

 scoop-shaped (Fig. 51). . . . 

 Family Psittacida: PAROTS, 

 PAROQUETS, p. 317. 



Fio. 52. 



KING- 



F_G. 53. 



Order XIV. Coccyges. CUCKOOS, 



FISHERS, etc. 



Toes four, the middle and the outer ones 

 joined for half their length (Fig. 52) or 

 two in front and two behind (Fig. 53); bill 

 without a cere; tail-feathers not stiff and 

 pointed. 



