194 BIBDS OP ILLINOIS. 



6. BuUda. Bin very thick throngh the ba3e. but tapering rapidly to the tip. 

 which la very slightly curved, With the maxillary ungTiis faintly Indicated. 

 Tail short (about hall the wing), cuneate, th6 feathers narrowed toward the 

 end. 

 6. Nostrils distinct (as In the Laridae); lateral toes nearly equal, and nearly as lone 

 as Ihe middle; whole head normally feathered. 

 6. PhaethontidcB. Bill conical, much compretaed. the culmen curved; maxillary 

 tomtum very concave. Tail abort, graduated, the central pair of rectricea 

 linear and excessively elongated. 



