Part 7

67. ACCÍPITER (Sparrow-hawk). Tarsi long and slender; fourth and fifth primaries equal in length and the longest. Ridge of bill measured from margin of cere is less than half middle toe (without claw). Page 156

SUB-FAMILY MILVINÆ

Bill of moderate length, slightly curved from the base, upper mandible with a slight festoon; nostrils oval, oblique; wings long; tail long and forked.

68. MILVUS (Kites). Tarsi feathered a little below the knee; fourth primary the longest. Page 158

SUB-FAMILY FALCONINÆ

Bill short, strong, curved from the base, upper mandible strongly toothed, lower notched; nostrils round; tarsi strong and short; hinder aspect reticulate; wings long and pointed, with the second primary longest, the first and third equal in length and having the inner web notched near the extremity.

69. FALCO (Falcons, Merlin, Hobby and Kestrel). Characters given above. Page 159

ORDER STEGANOPODES

Hind toe articulated on the inner surface of the tarsus, united to other toes by a web.

FAMILY PELECANIDÆ

Bill strong, edges of the mandibles minutely toothed; wings long; legs short; toes four, all connected by a membrane.

70. PHALACRÓCORAX (Cormorant). Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed; upper mandible much hooked at the point; face and throat naked; inner edge of the middle claw serrated; tail rounded, rigid. Page 165

71. SULA (Gannet). Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed, tapering to a point, which is but slightly curved; face and throat naked; inner edge of the middle claw serrated; tail graduated. Page 168

ORDER HERODIONES

Hallux free, not united to other toes by a web.

FAMILY ARDEIDÆ (HERONS)

Hind toe on same plane as others. Bill rounded or ridged; notched, with no hook at end. Outer toe with broad basal web, obsolete at base of inner toe; middle claw pectinated, loral space bare; powder down patches present.

72. ÁRDEA (Herons). Edges of mandibles distinctly serrated; head crested; nape feathers elongated and ornamented; plumes of fore-neck not disintegrated; no dorsal train. Page 173

73. NYCTÍCORAX (Night Heron). Bill scarcely longer than the head, much compressed; neck rather thick and short; crest of three very long tapering feathers. In other respects resembling Árdea. Page 173

74. BOTAURUS (Bittern). Bill scarcely longer than the head, much compressed; neck thick, clothed in front with long and loose feathers. In other respects resembling Árdea. Page 173

FAMILY CICONIIDÆ (STORKS)

Hind toe elevated above plane of others; no powder down patches; bill not hooked at tip.

75. CICÓNIA (Stork). Bill much longer than the head, stout, tapering to a point; nostrils near the base, pierced in the horny substance of the bill; tarsi very long; claws not pectinated; wings moderate, third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Page 175

FAMILY PLATALEIDÆ (SPOONBILLS)

Bill flattened, narrow in middle, and widening out into a spoon-shaped end.

76. PLATALÉA (Spoonbill). Head partly bare, auricular orifice covered with plumes. Nostrils elongated and in a shallow depression. Page 176

ORDER ANSERES

Tarsus about length of femur, reticulate at back and generally in front. Bill straight, always with distinct nail at tip of upper mandible. Young covered with down, and able to run or swim in a few hours after hatching.