KEY TO FAMILIES 
b . Middle-toe without a comblike edge. . . . Family Strigid ( E > 
p. 309. 
B. Eyes not set in a feathered disk, tarsus largely bare; plumage 
firm and close. 
а. Front of tarsus with square scales. 
a 1 . Bill not strongly hooked; toe-nails comparatively weak; 
nostrils large, piercing the bill; head and more or less of 
neck bare (Fig. 49). . . . Family Cathartidce: American 
Vultukes, p. 286. 
a 2 . Bill strongly hooked (Fig. 50); hind-toe generally as long as 
or longer than the shortest front one; claws large; head 
not bare. . . . Family Buteonidce: Hawks, Eagles, Kites, 
p. 287. 
б. Front of tarsus with rounded scales. 
b 1 . Soles of feet thickly set with sharp spicules (Fig. 20). . . . 
Family Pandionidcz: Ospreys, p. 307. 
b 2 . Soles of feet without spicules. . . . Family Falconidce: 
Falcons, Caracaras, etc., p. 303. 
Order XIII. Psittaci. — Parrots, 
Paroquets, etc. 
Toes four, two in front, two 
behind; bill strong, hooked, 
with a cere; lower mandible 
scoop-shaped (Fig. 51). . . . 
Family Psittacidce: Parrots, 
Paroquets, p. 317. 
Fig. 51. 
Order XIV. Coccyges. — Cuckoos, King- 
fishers, etc. 
Toes four, the middle and the outer ones 
joined for half their length (Fig. 52) or 
two in front and two behind (Fig. 53); bill 
without a cere; tail-feathers not stiff and 
pointed. 
