A History of 
The Birds of Colorado 
KEY OF THE ORDERS, 
This Key is adapted from that in Ridgway’s “‘ Manual 
of North American Birds,’’ and must be used with caution 
as it is impossible to construct a perfect key to the orders 
of birds on external characters alone ; in cases of doubt, 
reference should always be made to the diagnoses of the 
orders themselves. 
A. Hind and front toes connected by a web. Steganopodes, p. 26. 
B. Hind toe, if present, never so connected. 
a. Cutting-edges of the bill more or less fringed or dentate; 
toes completely webbed. Anseres, p. 30. 
b. Cutting-edges of the bill not fringed or dentate. 
at Legs inserted far behind the middle of the body, so that 
when standing the position is more or less erect; toes 
webbed or lobed. Pygopodes, p. 3. 
bt Legs inserted near the middle of the body, so that when 
standing the position is more or less horizontal. 
a” Anterior toes very fully webbed and tarsus shorter than 
tail. Longipennes, p. 12. 
b? Anterior toes not, or not fully, webbed. 
a? Lower portion of the thighs naked. 
a‘ Hind toe long and inserted nearly at a level with 
the others; claws never excessively lengthened ; 
loreal or orbital regions, or both, naked. 
Heriodiones, p. 73. 
B 
