131 



TABLE XXIII. (See vol. i., p. 21.) 



Order 5. WADERS. Tribe 2. CULTIROSTRES, (Cutting Beaks,) 

 so called from the Latin words, culter, a kiiii'e, and rostrum, 

 a beak. 



THIS tribe contains the Herons, Cranes, &c., known 

 by their thick, long, and strong cutting bills. The 

 first genus consists of the Herons, properly so called, 

 which differs from the others chiefly in the middle 

 toe being toothed or pectinated, and in having their 



Serrated claw of tlie Heron. 



beaks cleft under the eyes. In other respects, they 

 in so many points resemble the second and third 

 genus, namely, Storks and Cranes, that they may be 

 all looked upon as forming one family. With the 

 Heron, however, we are most familiar, as he alone 

 stays with us all the year round; and he may be 

 often seen standing like a gray statue, motionless 

 on one leg, up to his knees in water, in some re- 

 tired spot, watching for fish, the very picture of 

 patience. Impatient would he nevertheless be, if 

 long unsuccessful, for he has a most prodigious 

 appetite, destroying an inconceivable number of fish, 

 which are digested almost as soon as swallowed. 

 Ths powers of its stomach are indeed very great, 

 surpassing those of most other birds; Owls, Crows, 

 and Kingfishers, we know are unable to digest the 

 harder portions of their food, such as bones, &c., 



K2 



