652 U. S. p. R. E. EXP. AND SUEVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENEEAL EEPOET. 



B. Bill with the culmen straight to near the tip, or else gently decurving from the hase. 

 Nostrils nearer the base of the bill ; not very open. Middle claw serrated only in Ardeidae. 



Aedeidae. — Middle claw finely pectinated or serrated. Bill conical, angular, with the 



commissure nearly straight. Forehead feathered. 

 Tantalidae. — Bill rounded, very long, large at the base, and then becoming rapidly 



attenuated and decurved. Forehead bare. 

 Plataleidae. — Bill entirely depressed and flattened, very broad, and widening at the end 



into a spoon shape. 



C. Bill with the edges provided internally with transverse lamellae like the ducks, bent abruptly 

 downwards about the middle. 



Phoenicopieridae. — Legs and neck excessively lengthened ; the toes webbed to the claws. 



