THE 



WAT E R BIRDS 



OF 



NORTH AMERICA. 



Order HERODIONES/ 



ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES. 



Char. Altricial Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened, and nearly or quite 

 incumbent ; in habits more or less arboreal (generally nesting on trees, while 

 all are "Perchers"). Palate desmoguathous. Carotids double. 



The above brief diagnosis is sufficient to succinctly characterize this eminently 

 natural group of birds. The Jhrodloncs, Avhich inchule the Boatbills {Cuncromida'), 

 Herons (Ardt'!d(v), Storks (Clronlida'), Ibises (Ibididw), and .Spoonbills (Flutaleidce), 

 with perhaps, but not certainly, some other nunor groups, are at once distinguished 

 from the Prttcocial Grallatores {Limlcolw, Alectorides, and I'/iwnicojjtcri) by their 

 altricial nature, the young being comjiletely helpless at birth, and having to be reared 

 in the nest, instead of being at once capable of active movement and able to shift 

 for themselves, although thvy folloiu their ])arents for a considerable time. There are 

 also important peculiarities of the osteological and anatomical structure, which alone 

 are sufficient to demonstrate the fact that this group is not intimately related to 

 other Waders, their general exterior reseniblauce to them being one of analogy and 

 not of affinity. According to Huxley (P. Z. S. 1807. 4()1), the osteological characters 

 . of this group are as follows : Ther"^ are no basipterygoid processes ; the ])alatines 

 ■'Sare usually united for a greater or Ibl^s distance behind the posterior nares, and are 

 destitute of a vertical plate depending from their junction; the maxillo-palatines 

 large and spongy ; the sternum bioad, and with two to four posterior notches. The 

 relation between the phalanges is the same as in the " C/ten&morphw" {= Anatidfe) 

 and ^'AmpIiimorj)ha'" (= PlKPnicojJterl). 



The Water Birds most nearly related structurally to the present group are the 

 Stcganopodcs. — Pelicans, Cormorants, Gannets, and their allies, — which are 

 likewise both desmoguathous and altricial ; and what is an important fact in 



vol,, r. — 1 



An analysis of the Orders of Water BiiJs is given on pages x, xi. 



