DIVISIONS OF BIRDS. 293 
also unfeathered or naked, as far as the lower end of the tibia, 
at any rate. There are three anterior toes, and usually a short 
hind-toe; but the toes are never completely webbed, though 
they are sometimes partially palmate. The wings are long, and 
the power of flight is usually considerable ; but the tail is very 
short, and its function as a rudder is chiefly transferred to the 
long legs, which are stretched out behind in flight. The beak 
is almost always of great length, generally longer than the head 
(fig. 156, B), and usually more or less pointed, though it is some- 
times flattened. In the Avocet (C) the bill is curved upwards, 
instead of being straight, or bent downwards, as is generally 
the case. The Typical Waders, as before said, spend most of 
their time wading about in shallow water, feeding upon small 
fishes, shell-fish, worms, and insects. Others, such as the Storks, 
live mostly upon the land, and are more or less exclusively 
vegetable feeders. 
Fig. 157.—Grallatores. Common Heron (Ardea cinerea). 
Amongst the more important Grallatorial birds are the Rails 
(Rallide), Water-hens, (Gallinule), Cranes (Gruid@,) Herons 
