101* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS, 



Order HBEODIONBS.— The Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. 



Ohaeaotebs. Altricial ptilopsedlo Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened and 

 nearly or aulte incuml)ent; palate desmognathous: carotids double; habits more or less 

 ai'boreal. 



The Order HerodMmes includes several distinct gvoups, which 

 may be defined as follows: 



o'. Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterruptedly 



from the nostrils to the tip ...Suborder Ibides. 



«". Sides of upper mandible without any groove. 



6'. Hind toe inserted above the level of the anterior toes ; claws broad and flat, 

 resting on a heavy pad or shoe, the middle one not pectinated. 



Suborder Ciconiee. 



6'. Hind toe inserted on the same level as the anterior toes; claws narrow. 



arched, the under surface free, and the middle one with its inner edge 



pectinated. Suborder Herodii. 



Suborder IBIDES.— The Spoonbills and Ibises. 



FamvhUes. 



o>. Bill very broad and excessively flattened, greatly widened toward end, only the ex- 

 treme tip deourved Plataleidae. 



o". Bill slender, nearly eyllndrical, or even narrower than deep toward end, gradually 

 but decidedly deeuived for nearly whole length Ibididee. 



