Family 20. HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS. Ardeidæ.
Bill usually straight and sharply pointed; lores naked; head feathered; tarsus with transverse scales; middle toe-nail pectinate or with a comblike edge.
Order VIII. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, Etc. PALUDICOLÆ.
(3 families, 16 species, 3 subspecies.)
Birds varying greatly in size and appearance, but all agreeing (and differing from Herodiones) in having the hind-toe elevated, that is, leaving the foot at a higher level than the front toes; tail short; legs usually long. All fly with the neck extended, a fact by which Cranes in flight may be known from Herons. Rails are short-winged skulkers in grassy marshes; Gallinules frequent reedy shores; Coots, which alone of the Order have webbed (lobate) toes, are as aquatic as Ducks, from which they may be known by their pointed, white bill, nodding motion of the head when swimming, and habit of pattering over the water when alarmed.
Family 21. CRANES. Gruidæ.
Large birds over three feet in length; head partly bare in adults.
