GRUID^. 317 



ORDER IV. — Grallatores. Illiger. 



Rostrum diversum : pedes medircres aut elongati, grallarii, tetra- 

 dactyli aut tridactyU : digiti magis minusve. palmati aut lobati. 



Beak various : legs moderate or lengthened, formed for wading, 

 with four or three toes ; the toes more or less palmate or 

 lobed. 



Of the typical groups of this order, Mr. Vigors 

 observes their exclusive food is fish, water-reptiles, 

 and insects, mollusca, &c. ; and their distinguishing 

 external characters length of legs and beak, the 

 former for the purpose of wading, the latter for that 

 of seizing their prey, or of extracting it by suction 

 from the waters or marshes : of the remaining fami- 

 lies two are more terrestrial in their manners and 

 food, and their general appearance and structure par- 

 take of that of some groups of the Rasores ; while the 

 third, by its capability of swimming, and the rudi- 

 ments of the natatorial membrane that connects the 

 fore toes of some of the species, is united to the 

 Natatores. 



Beak long; well calculated fori f Ardeid^, Leach, 



suction: J \ Scolopacid^, Vigors. 



„ , , IIP 1 i. Rallid.s, Leach. 



Beak short : adapted tor catch- ? ) ^ t i 



' ^ . ^ \ Charadriad^, Leach, 



me, not tor suction : • . j i <^ -tr- 



^ I Gruid^, Vigors. 



FAMILY I.— GRUID.^. 



Rostrum rectum : nares hi sulco membranaceo, lato, concavo, po- 

 sit cb : caput collumque jjlus minusve pliimis denudatis : pedes 

 scutellati ; digiti qiiatuor, mediocres, externi basi membranula 

 coaliti : hallux hrevis terrani vix insislente. 



