() BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



The Toes are sometimes three or four (the Ostrich has but two), sometimes two in 

 front and two behind ; two in front aad one behind ; or, in one family (not North 

 America), all four turned forward. Some families have the toes joined or fused 

 together for part of their leugth, as iu the Kingfisher. Some species have webbed 

 feet, otiiers liave the toes armed with curved talons, and so on ; but the various 

 differences with wliich we wish to become familiar cau better be illustrated than 

 descril»ed. 



Foot of Sparrow 



Foot of three-toed Woodpecker 



Types of Feet. — Land Birds. 



THE BILL. 



Tiie Bill consists of an upper and a lower mandible, botli of whicli are 

 movable. The sliape is of great assistance in determining the family to wliich the 

 species belong. Four principal types are recognized : — 



1. Epignathous. Upper mandible longer than lower ; the tip bent or hooked over 

 the end of lower mandible. (Kxamples : Hawks, Gulls, Petrels, Parrots.) 



2. Hypognathous. Lower mandible, longer than upper mandible. (Examples : 

 Black Skimmers, lihynchoiis.) 



3. Paragnathous. Both mandibles of about equal leugth. 



4. Hetagnathous. Mandibles crossed. (Example: Crossbill. LoxUt.) 



