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ARTIFICIAL KEY 



TO LUSTING UISII THE 



LAND BIRDS AND WATER BIRDS. 



All hulls having toes more or less webbed and no feathers 

 on the tarsus (uU iutergradations between fignres A and B), 

 exci'iit the Vultures,* and also all birds having the bill more 

 than three inches long, whether the toes are webbed or not, are 

 Water Birds. There are also a tew Water Birds which do not 

 agree with the above description, which may be described as 

 follows : — 



(jalliniiles. 



Rails. 



Least Bitterns ami Small Ileruns. 



SiiOKK Birds. — The majority of the Shore Birds either have the tcx'S with small web, or 

 the bill over three inches bmg. Those which do not may lie recognized by the following 

 cliaracters: hind toe, wlien present, elevated above level of front Iocs: bill, rather soft; nos- 

 tiil, a slit; lower portion of tibia (upper part of leg), not feathered; first primary, about 

 equal to second. 



Gallinules. — Itail-like birds, inhabiting marsliy jjlaces ; forehead, covered by a horny 

 plate or shield. 



Kails. — Wing, ratlier short and rounded; toes, long; hind toe, on level with front toes 

 (true Rails) ; first primary, much shorter than second. 



Least Bitti;i;\s and Small Herons. — Toes, four; lores, bare; inner side of middle 

 toe nail, with condi-like edge. 



All other birds are called Land Birds. 



• Sever.-il Land Birds liavt! the toes iiartly \velpl)ecl, such as the Goalsuitkcrs, Caprhiiulijiihi-, the Vultures, 

 Cdlluirtulif. anri ,i few others; but all have the larsiis in.ire iir less leatherei), ex(«i)t the Vultures, the only Land 

 Birds vvhieh have webbed toes, and no leathers on the tarsus. 



