G BIRDS OF EASTFRN NORTH AMERICA. 



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

 front and two liehind ; two in front aud one behind ; or, in one famil}' (not North 

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

 togetlier for part of tlicir length, as in the Kingfisher. Some species have webbed 

 feet, others have the toes armed with curved talons, and so on ; but the various 

 differences with wjiicli we wish to become familiar can better be illustrated than 

 described. 



Foot of Sparrow 



Foot of tliree-toed Woodpecker 



Types of Feet. — Land P.ird.=i. 



THE BILL. 



The Bill consists of an upper and a lower mandible, both of which are 

 movable. The sliapo is of great assistance in determining the family to which the 

 species belong. Four i)rincipal types are recognized : — 



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

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



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

 Ithick Skimmers, Jihyncliojjs.) 



3. Paragnathous. P.oth maudil)les of about equal length. 



4. Hetagnathous. Mandibles crossed. (Example : Crossbill. Lnxi,,.) 



