ROOM XII.] NATURAL HISTORY. 65 
(Vanellus), Turnstone (Strepsilas), Sanderling (Calidris), 
and Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus), 
The Herons {Ardeid(^), Cases Nos. 18 and 19, have the 
bill and legs long, and the hind toes, which are also elon¬ 
gated, are placed nearly on a level with the others. They 
are the largest birds of this order; as the Heron (Ardea)^ 
the Stork {Ciconia)^ the Spoonbill {Platalea), and the 
Ibis {Ihis). 
Cases Nos. 20 and 21. The Snipes (Scolopacidce), are 
small birds, with long slender bills, and an elevated hind 
toe. They generally live in marshy places, or on the sea¬ 
shore and f^d on w'orms; as the Curlew (Numenius)^ 
Sandpiper ( Totanus)^ the Avocet (JRecurvirostra), the 
God wit {Totanus), the Snipe {Scolopax), Case No. 22, the 
Dunlin {Tringa), the Lobe Foot (Lobipes), Cases Nos. 23 
and 24, and the Phalarope {Phalaropus), 
The Rails {RalUdoe), are known by their shorter legs 
and long toes, often fringed on the sides, and by the com¬ 
pressed form of their body; as the Pratincole ( Glareold), 
Rail (^Rallus), Corn Crake (Crex), Gallinule, or Water Hen 
(Gallinula), and the Coot (Fulica), 
The last order, or Natatorial Birds (Naiatores), have 
short legs placed on the hinder part of the body, and the 
toes united by a web. It includes several families; viz. the 
Ducks {Anatidce), Cases No. 25—31, which have the edge 
of the jaws furnished with a series of plates, through which 
they filter the water, and thus separate their food ; as the 
Goose (Anser), Swan (C^gnus)^ Shieldrake {Tadorna), 
Duck (Anas), Widgeon (Mareca), Eider Duck (Soinaterid), 
Scoter [Oidemia), Pochard (Fuligula), Garrot {Clangula), 
Hareld (Harelda), Cases Nos. 32—34, and Merganser 
{Mergus), 
The Divers {Colymhidce), have the legs set very far back, 
the bills compressed, and the hind toes free ; as the Grebes 
{Podiceps), which have a silky plumage, and the toes se¬ 
parated from each other by a "deep notch; and the Divers 
\Colymhus), with the toes entirely webbed. 
The family of Auks {Alcidce), Case No. 34, have, like 
the Divers, very short wings, and the legs placed far behind 
the centre of the body, which enables them to stand nearly 
erect, but they have only three toes, all united by a web ; 
as the Guillemot (Uria), the Rotche Puffin 
