THE 
WAT E R BIRDS 
OF 
NORTH AMERICA. 
Order HERO DIO NES . 1 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES. 
Char. Altricial Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened, and nearly or quite 
incumbent ; in habits more or less arboreal (generally nesting on trees, while 
all are “ Perchers ” ). Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. 
The above brief diagnosis is sufficient to succinctly characterize this eminently 
natural group of birds. The Herodiones, which include the Boatbills ( Cancromidce ), 
Herons (Ardeidce), Storks ( Ciconiidce ), Ibises ( Ibididce ), and Spoonbills ( Plataleidce ), 
with perhaps, but not certainly, some other minor groups, are at once distinguished 
from the Prmcocial Grallatores ( Limicolce , Alectorides, and Plioenicopteri ) by their 
altricial nature, the young being completely helpless at birth, and having to be reared 
in the nest, instead of being at once capable of active movement and able to shift 
for themselves, although they follow their parents for a considerable time. There are 
also important peculiarities of the osteological and anatomical structure, which alone 
are sufficient to demonstrate the fact that this group is not intimately related to 
other Waders, their general exterior resemblance to them being one of analogy and 
not of affinity. According to Huxley (P. Z. S. 1867, 461), the osteological characters 
of this group are as follows : There are no basipterygoid processes ; the palatines 
are usually united for a greater or less distance behind the posterior nares, and are 
destitute of a vertical plate depending from their junction ; the maxillo-palatines 
large and spongy ; the sternum broad, and with two to four posterior notches. The 
relation between the phalanges is the same as in the “ Chenomorphce” (= Anatidce) 
and u Amphimorphce ” (= Plioenicopteri). 
The Water Birds most nearly related structurally to the present group are the 
Steganop>odes, — Pelicans, Cormorants, Gannets, and their allies, — which are 
likewise both desmognathous and altricial ; and what is an important fact in 
1 An analysis of the Orders of Water Birds is given on pages x, xi. 
vol. I. — 1 
