GRALLATORIA. 363 
ORDER V. 
GRALLATORIZA.—Gratuia, Lin. 
The birds of this order derive their name from their habits, 
and from the conformation which causes them. They are 
known by the nudity of the lower part of their legs, and most 
generally by the height of their tarsi; two circumstances which 
enable them to enter the water to a certain depth without 
wetting their feathers; to wade through it and seize fish by 
means of their neck and bill, the length of which is usually 
proportioned to that of the legs. Those which are furnished 
with a strong bill, feed on fish and reptiles ; while such as have 
a weak one, consume worms and insects. A very few feed par- 
tially on grain, and they alone live at a distance from rivers, &c. 
The external toe is most commonly united at its base with that 
of the middle one, by means of a short membrane ; sometimes 
there are two similar membranes, and at others they are en- 
tirely wanting, and the toes are completely separated; it 
sometimes also happens, though rarely, that they are border- 
ed all along, or palmated to the very end; in fine, the thumb 
is deficient in several genera; circumstances, all of which have 
an influence on their mode of life, which is more or less 
aquatic. Almost all these birds, the Ostriches and Cassowaries 
excepted, have long wings, and fly well; during which action 
they extend their legs backwards, differing in this from all 
others, which fold them under the belly. 
In this order we establish five principal families, and some 
insulated genera. 
FAMILY I. 
BREVIPENNES. 
These birds, although similar in general to the other Gral- 
latorie, differ from them greatly in one point—the shortness 
of the wings, which renders flight impossible. The beak 
