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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Ardea.
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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.
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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.
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