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INTRODUCTION. 
Genus DENDROCYGNA, Swainson. Most parts of the World, but migratory in their habits. 
Gen. char. — Bill long, higher at the base than broad, with the culmen sloping to the tip, which is armed with 
a strong, broad nail, and the lateral margins straight ; the lamella; of the upper mandible advancing below the 
lateral margins, slender, and set widely apart ; the nostrils large, oval, and placed near the base of culmen. Wings 
short and rounded, with the second, third, and fourth quills the longest ; the first quill with a deep notch in the 
middle, and the secondaries nearly as long as the quills. Tail moderate, and rounded at the end. Tarsi slightlv 
shorter than the middle toe, robust. Toes long, the lateral ones united to the middle one by an indentated 
membrane ; and the hind toe very long, elevated, and simple. 
Genus RHYNCTIASPIS, Stephens. Most parts of the World. 
Gen. char. — Bill longer than the head, narrowed at the base; the culmen straight, depressed, and the side 
much dilated for nearly half its length from the tip, which is furnished with a small hooked nail ; the lamella; 
of the upper mandible very prominent near the middle, slender and widely set ; the nostrils placed near the base 
and culmen, lateral, and oval. Wings lengthened and pointed, with the first quill nearly as long as the second, 
which is the longest. Tail rather short and wedge-shaped. Tarsi much shorter than the middle toe. Toes united 
by a full weh, and the hind toe very small and slightly lobed. 
Genus FUL1GULA, Stephens. Besides New Zealand, members of this genus inhabit the northern 
regions of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating to the temperate parts in winter. 
Gen. char. — Bill nearly as long as the head, broader at the base than high, the culmen gradually sloping to 
the tip, which is armed with a broad and strong nail ; the sides dilated, especially anteriorly, where it is rounded, 
the lateral margins straight and curved upwards to the nail ; the lamellae of the upper mandible not prominent, and 
widely set ; and the nostrils small, oblong, and near the middle of the bill. Wings moderate and pointed, with the 
first quill the longest. Tail short and rounded. Tarsi half the length of the middle toe and compressed. Toes 
lengthened and united by a full web. 
Genus NYROCA, Fleming. Most parts of the World. 
Gen. char. — Bill as long as the head, higher at the base than broad ; the culmen gradually sloping towards 
the tip, which is depressed, slightly dilated, and armed with a strong nail; the lamella; of the upper mandible not 
prominent; and the nostrils oval and placed near the base. Wings lengthened and pointed, with the first two 
quills the longest. Tail short and rounded. Tarsi half the length of the middle toe and compressed. Toes 
lengthened and united by a full web. 
Genus HYMENOLiEMUS, Gray. Endemic. 
Gen. char. — Bill as long as the head, equally compressed, elevated at the base, with the culmen for three 
fourths of its length straight and then slightly sloping to the tip ; the sides shelving from the culmen to the lateral 
margins, of which the basal half is firm, and furnished with lengthened slender laminae ; the apical half of the 
margin composed of a soft flexible skin that hangs over the lower mandible, widening towards the tip, where it is 
truncate, and the nail not very prominent; the nostrils situated near the middle, and oval. Wings short, slender. 
