PREFACE. 
The legs of all cloven-footed water-fowl are long, as they 
mu ft wade in fearch of food : Of the palmated, fhort, except 
thofe of the Flamingo, the Avoset, and the Courier. 
(Pedes) All land-birds that perch have a large back toe: * EE7 
Moft of them have three toes forward, and one backward. 
Woodpeckers, Parrots, and other birds that climb much, 
have two forward, two backward ; but Parrots have the power 
of bringing one of their hind toes forward while they are feeding 
themfelves. Owls have alfo the power of turning one of their 
fore toes backward. All the toes of the Swift turn forwards, 
which is peculiar among land-birds : The Tridactylous 
Woodpecker is alfo anomalous, having only two toes forward, 
one backward : The Ostrich is another, having but two toes. 
(Digiti) The toes of all Waders are divided ; but, between Toss,, 
the exterior and middle toe, is generally a fmall web, reaching 
as far as the firfi: joint. 
The Spoonbill ; and a Sandpiper I received from N. Ame- 
rica, have webs that reach half way up each toe, or are femi- 
palmated. 
The toes of birds that fwim are either plain, as in the linglc 
inftance of the common water Hen or Gallinule ; or pinnated,, 
as in the Coots and Grebes or entirely webbed or palmated,. 
as in all other fwimmers. 
All the Plover tribe, or Charadrii, want the back toe,. 
In the fwimmers, the fame want prevales among the Albatros- 
ses and Auks. No water-fowl perch, except certain Herons ; 
the Corvorant i and the Shag. 
(Ungues) Rapacious birds have very ftrong,. hooked, and 
fhacp 
vii 
Claws,. 
