ing 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.

*Plovers are small and plump, with long pointed wings, short necks and
rather flat heads. They run and fly very rapidly, generally in
flocks piping loudly but sweetly. They frequent the inland as
well as the shore.

_Shore_ and _Water Birds_ are often extremely shy and they can detect the
presence of an observer at a distance. The caution is therefore
emphasized to approach them slowly and quietly.

Particular Hints.

*Note:--Owing to a lack of sufficient data the following _Shore_ and
_Water Birds_ are arranged according to the American Ornitholog