SYNOPSIS 
OF 
NORTH AMERICAN ORDERS OF WATER BIRDS. 
A. Legs lengthened, the tibiae usually denuded for a considerable distance above the knee. Toes 
not fully webbed, except in Recurvirostra and Phxnicopterus. (Waders.) 
I. HERODIONES. Neck and legs much lengthened. Hind toe much lengthened, and 
inserted at the same level as the anterior toes (shorter and slightly elevated in Giconiidce). 
Habits altricial 1 and young dasypsedic. 2 Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. 
II. LIMICOLj3j. Neck and legs usually elongated (the latter sometimes excessively so), 
the tibiae usually more or less naked below. Hind toe short or rudimentary, sometimes 
absent, and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. Habits praecocial, 3 and young 
dasypaedic. Palate schizognathous. Carotids double. 
III. ALECTORIDES. Hind toe small and elevated (but neck much lengthened and bill 
strong and hard) in Gruidce ; lengthened and incumbent in Aramiclce and Rallidce. 
Wings comparatively short and rounded, and body compressed (except in Gruidce). 
Habits praecocial, and young dasypaedic. Palate schizognathous. Carotids double. 
IV. PHCENICOPTERI. Neck and legs excessively elongated, the anterior toes webbed, 
and the tibiae naked for the greater part of their length. Hind toe small and elevated, 
or wholly absent. Bill of very peculiar form, being greatly thickened and abruptly 
bent downward from the middle portion, the tomia provided with lamellae, as in the 
Anseres. Habits praecocial and young dasypaedic. Palate saurognathous. Carotids 
double, but the left much reduced in size. 
B. Legs short, the tibiae wholly or mostly feathered. Anterior toes distinctly (usually fully) 
webbed, or else broadly lobed and provided with broad flat nails ( Podicipidce ). 
(Swimmers.) 
V. ANSERES. Bill broad and depressed (nearly cylindrical in Mergince), the tip provided 
with a distinct nail or unguis, and the tomia with vertical lamellae or strainers (more 
tooth-like in Mergince). Habits praecocial, young dasypaedic. Palate saurognathous. 
Carotids double. 
1 Altricial birds are those whose young are hatched in a blind and helpless condition, and are reared in 
the nest until able to fly. 
2 Young birds which are covered with down when hatched are said to he dasyptedic ; e. g., chicks of the 
Domestic Fowl and other gallinaceous birds, ducklings, etc. 
3 Pr*cocial birds arc those whose young are capable of running about as soon as hatched, and although 
led and otherwise cared for by the parents, are not fed by them ; e. g., the young of the Domestic Fowl 
Ducks, Geese, etc. 
