2 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
this connection is the circumstance that, besides being altricial, they are, with 
very few exceptions, also decidedly arboreal, most of them even placing their 
nests on trees. They are all swimmers, however, instead of being strictly or in 
part waders. 
Without discussing further the characters which distinguish this “ order,” we 
proceed to define the families into which it seems most naturally divisible. 
Synopsis of the American Herodionine Families. 
A. Pterylte very narrow, interspersed with “ powder-down ” tracts. Hallux perfectly incumbent ; 
inner edge of middle claw distinctly pectinated. ( Herodiones ardeiformes, — Herodii, 
Sundev. Meth. Nat. Av. Disp. Tent. 1872, 122.) 
1. Cancromidae. Four pairs of powder-down tracts. Bill greatly depressed and excessively 
dilated laterally, the lateral outlines much bowed ; gonys excessively short, not longer 
than the width of the mandibular rami. 
2. Ardeidae. Two to three pairs of powder-down tracts. Bill compressed, elongate-conical, 
the lateral outlines straight or even a little concave ; the vertical outlines nearly straight, 
slightly convex terminally ; gonys lengthened, several times longer than the width of the 
mandibular rami . 
B. Pterylae broad, without powder-down tracts. Hallux elevated at the base above the base 
of the anterior toes ; inner edge of middle claw not pectinated ; claws resting upon a 
horny, crescentic “ shoe.” ( Herodiones ciconiiformes, = Pelargi, Sundev. Meth. Nat. Av. 
Disp. Tent. 1872, 123.) 
a. Sides of the maxilla without any trace of lateral groove. Skull holorhinal. Angle of the 
mandible truncated. Pectoralis major muscle in two easily separable layers. No accessory 
femoro-caudal muscle ; semitendinosus muscle tendinous for its distal half ; biceps cubiti 
and tensor patagii longus muscles unconnected. (Garrod, P. Z. S. 1875, 301.) 
3. Ciconiidas. Bill elongate-conical, either straight or curved a little up or down at the end. 
b. Sides of the maxilla with a deep, narrow groove, extending uninterruptedly from the nasal 
fossae to the extreme tip of the bill. Skull schizorhinal. Angle of the mandible pro- 
duced and decurved. Pectoralis major muscle simple (not separable into distinct layers) ; 
accessory femoro-caudal muscle well developed ; semitendinosus muscle muscular through- 
out ; biceps cubiti and tensor patagii longus muscles connected by a small muscular “ belly.” 
(Garrod.) 
4. Ibididae. Bill slender, attenuated terminally, nearly cylindrical or somewhat compressed, 
conspicuously decurved, or arched above. 
5. Plataleidae. Bill very broad, excessively depressed and greatly expanded terminally, much 
narrowed across the middle portion, the extreme tip only much decurved. 
In addition to the above well-defined families, all of which have American 
representatives, while one ( Cancromidae) is peculiarly American, there are sev- 
eral others which probably belong to the Herodiones, but which, excepting the 
Eurypygidce (Sun Bitterns), are peculiar to the Old World, and may therefore 
be passed by without further notice. 
Family ARDEID M. — The Herons. 
Char. Altricial waders having the bill compressed, pointed, all the outlines 
nearly straight ; the lores and orbits naked ; the rest of the head (except, some- 
times, the malar region, or part of the throat) feathered, the occiput frequently 
with ornamental plumes. Lower part of the neck, back, or scapulars, fre- 
