Part 3

d2. Rectrices not rudimentary; if short not hidden by upper coverts.

e1. Anterior toes distinctly webbed and tarsus shorter than tail. ... Lariformes (p. 85) e2. Anterior toes not distinctly webbed; or, if webbed, tarsus decidedly longer than tail; or else bill extremely small with gape very broad and deeply cleft.

f1. Lower portion of thighs naked; or, if feathered, the bill lengthened and grooved along each side, the outer and middle toes separated for their entire length.

g1. Hind toe well developed and inserted on the level of the anterior toes; claws not excessively lengthened; loral or orbital region or both naked ... Ardeiformes (p. 157) g2. Hind toe if present, small and inserted above the level of the rest; or else size of bird small (less than 1 meter), loral and orbital regions fully feathered and middle claw not pectinate.

h1. If more than 1 meter long the hind toe short and elevated; if less than 1 meter long the hind toe not elevated.

i1. Size very large; hind toe small and elevated. ... Gruiformes (p. 155) i2. Size medium to small; hind toe not elevated. ... Ralliformes (p. 65)

h2. Less than 1 meter long, usually much less; the hind toe if present, short and elevated, or if long the claws excessively long and wings spurred ... Charadriiformes (p. 98)

f2. Lower portion of thighs feathered; or else middle and outer toes united for at least half their length, the bill if lengthened not grooved along the side.

g1. Bill strongly hooked and with a distinct cere at base of upper mandible.

h1. Toes three in front; or else outer toe reversible; claws sharp and powerful.

i1. No facial disk of modified feathers; plumage normal, compact; nostrils generally not concealed by bristles. ... Accipitriformes (p. 210) i2. Eyes surrounded by a disk of modified feathers; plumage soft and fluffy; nostrils usually concealed by stiff bristles. ... Strigiformes (p. 249)

h2. Toes two in front and two behind, the outer toe permanently reversed; claws small and dull ... Psittaciformes (p. 272)

g2. Bill not strongly hooked and without a cere at base of upper mandible.

h1. Hind toe small and elevated ... Galliformes (p. 9) h2. Hind toe or toes well developed and on the same level as the anterior toes.

i1. Upper mandible with a soft swollen base. ... Columbiformes (p. 23) i2. Bill without a soft swollen base.

j1. Toes two in front, two behind; rarely two in front and one behind, then the bill straight and the rectrices stiff and pointed.

k1. Two toes in front united for their basal joint.

l1. Inner toe reversed, tail graduated ... Trogones (p. 362) l2. Outer toe reversed, tail nearly square. ... Scansores (p. 389)

k2. Two toes in front perfectly free.

l1. Bill straight, its tip chisel-shaped; rectrices stiff, with stiff, pointed tips ... Piciformes (p. 392) l2. Bill more or less curved; rectrices long and soft, without stiff, pointed tips ... Coccyges (p. 363)

j2. Toes three in front, one behind; rarely two in front and one behind, then the tail soft; or rarely four toes turned forward and arranged in pairs.

k1. Claw of hind toe shorter than that of third toe; feet weak, or feet strong and two toes united for their basal joint ... Coraciiformes (p. 295) k2. Claw of hind toe equal to or longer than that of middle toe.

l1. Outer and middle toes united for their basal joint; bill broad; eye surrounded by a fleshy wattle; tail graduated ... Eurylæmiformes (p. 410) l2. Outer and middle toes not united; toes four in number; rectrices twelve with rare exceptions; bill variable in shape, never extensively membranous, softly tumid, nor cered ... Passeriformes (p. 413)

Order GALLIFORMES.

MEGAPODES, PAINTED QUAIL, AND PHEASANTS.

Bill short and stout, culmen curved; head small; body heavy; wings short and rounded, curved to the body; tail either very short or greatly elongated; legs moderate to heavy; claws well developed; toes four, slightly webbed at base. Members of this order are terrestrial; their flight is strong and swift but can not be sustained for a long distance. Their food consists of grain, seeds, and insects. The nest is usually a slight hollow in the ground, hidden by grass or brush; the megapodes, however, bury their eggs in mounds.

Suborders.

a1. Hind toe on a level with the other toes; feet and claws very heavy; colors plain, the sexes similar in color ... Megapodii (p. 9) a2. Hind toe slightly elevated; feet and claws moderate in size; sexes very different in color; males much brighter ... Phasiani (p. 11)