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ORDER V. 
Qrallce. 
The Grallcet Shore-Birds or aders, take their name from 
their habits and the formation which gives rise to them. We 
recognise them by the nudity of the lower part of their thighs, 
and very frequently by the length of their tarsi, which circum- 
stances enable them to enter the water to some depth without 
wetting their plumage, and to wade and fish in it by means of their 
neck and beak^ both of which are of a length proportionate to their 
legs. Those with strong beaks live on fish or reptiles ; those whose 
beaks are weaker, on worms and insects. A few partly content 
themselves with grains and herbage, and these only live far from 
the water. The exterior is most frequently united at its base to 
the middle toe, by means of a short membrane ; sometimes there 
are two similar membranes, at others they are entirely wanting 
and the toes are separate ; rarely, they are bordered all along 
or palmated to the end ; lastly, the great toe is wanting in several 
Genera : all which circumstances render their mode of life more 
or less aquatic. Almost all these Birds, if we except the Ostriches^ 
have long wings and fly well. They extend their legs behind when 
they fly, contrary to other Birds, who fold them under the belly. 
FAMILIES. 
1. Brevipennes. 
Wings too short for 
flight. 
Pectoral muscles ve- No carina to the 
ry slight, but those of sternum, 
the legs and thighs 
enormous. 
2. Pressirostres. 
Beak moderate. Fig. 
189. 
3. CULTIROSTRES. 
Beak large, long, 
strong, generally with 
sharp edges, and point- 
ed. Fig. 199. 
Legs elevated ; great 
toes too short to reach 
the ground, or none. 
