3. The River Ducks, which have broad, rounded bills, are much variegated in color and markings, and have a peculiar habit of feeding head downwards, as though standing on their heads with the body tipped up. The [Teals], [Mallard], [Wood Duck] and [Pintail] belong to this group. The females of these ducks, though differing noticeably in size, may easily be confused.
[Geese] are larger than ducks, feed mostly on land and are usually seen during migration flying at a height in regular ranks after a leader.
[Herons] and [Bitterns] belong among the Wading Birds. They have long, pointed bills, long legs, loose, baggy plumage, broad wings and long necks, curved s shaped in flight.
[Herons] are tall, crested birds, with very long legs, bills and necks and small tails. Their notes are harsh and squawking. Large numbers sometimes nest together.
[Bitterns] have shorter legs, necks and bills than herons and are very rarely crested. They utter hoarse, resounding calls, and are ordinarily solitary in habit.
Rails and Coots are known as Marsh Birds, although the latter are fine swimmers.
Rails as a rule are smaller than bitterns and frequent grassy marshes where they steal stealthily about, effectively concealed by their dull streaky plumage. Short turned-up tails, short wings and long legs are noticeable characteristics of these rapid runners.
[Coots] are ducklike in appearance and smoothly plumaged. Lobed feet enable them to swim easily. Their bills spread out at the base in the form of a plate or shield which extends up on to the forehead.
Plover, [Sandpipers] and the [Woodcock] are strikingly different representatives of the great order of Shore Birds. The plover family have stout, short bills, while the sandpipers and woodcock belong to a family which have soft probing bills of greatly varying length, for obtaining their food in soft mud.
[Sandpipers] have pointed wings, are dull-colored, and are usually found slipping gracefully along the water’s edge in search of food. They skim rapidly over the water on outspread wings, and their clear, reed-like notes are distinctly musical.