CICONIIDA, —--CXXXIX. 237 
green. L. 24. W. 11. T. 4. B. 44. Tropics, rarely N. to 
N. E. (Eu) 
Famitry CXXXIX. CICONIIDAS. (Tue Storks.) 
Bill longer than head, very stout at base, not grooved, tapering 
to the tip; nostrils high, close to base of bill; tarsus reticulate; 
hind toe more or less elevated ; claws short, not acute; skull holo- 
rhinal. Genera 7; species about 20, in damp places in warm re- 
gions. The famous migratory Stork of Europe (Ciconia ciconia 
L.) is the best known member of the group. (Lat., ciconia, stork.) 
a. Bill decurved at tip; hind toe scarcely elevated; trachea simple, not con- 
voluted within thorax. . . . «©... + + « . TANTALUS, 872. 
372. TANTALUS Linneus, (Tdyrados, a mythological character.) 
727, T. loculator L. Woop “Isis.” White, wings and tail 
mostly glossy black; the bald head livid and yellowish. L. 46. 
W. 18. B. 7. Southern States, N. to N. Y. (Lat., one who 
places.) 
Famity CXL. ARDEIDA® (Tae Herons.) 
Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed, acute, with 
sharp cutting edges; upper mandible grooved ; nostrils linear ; 
lores naked, the bill appearing to run directly to the eyes; rest of 
head feathered ; parts of the body with “ powder-down tracts,” — 
strips of short, dusty, or greasy down-like feathers, usually three 
pairs of these strips, i. e., on the back above the hips, on the belly 
under the hips, and on the breast; usually long plumes from the 
back of head in the breeding season. Wings broad. Tail very 
short. Tibiz largely naked below; toes long and slender, hind toe 
on a level with the rest, its claw longer than middle claw; middle 
claw pectinate. Skull holorhinal. Sexes usually colored alike, but 
the changes due to age and season often considerable. Species 
about 75; in most parts of the world, abundant in the warmer 
regions, wading in shallow water and feeding chiefly on fishes. 
a. Tail feathers 10, very short, scarcely stiffer than the coverts; outer toe 
shorter than inner; no conspicuous crest or train in breeding season; bill 
slender. (Botawrine.) . . . . . Boraurus, 373, ARDETTA 373b. 
aa. Tail feathers 12, rather long, stiffer than the coverts; outer toe not shorter 
than inner; claws shorter, and more curved. (Ardeine). 
6. Bill long and slender, at least five times as long as deep at base. 
ARDEA, 374. 
bb. Bill rather short and thick, and not more than 4 times as long as deep 
atbase. . . + + « 6 «© © « «© « « +» » NYCTICORAX, 375. 
373. BOTAURUS Stephens. (An imitation of the bird’s note.) 
a. Size large; sexes alike; young similar. (Botawrus.) 
728. B. lentiginosus (Montagu). Birrern. Inpran Hew. 
Sraxe Driver. Tawny brown of various shades, excessively 
