Genus V.--Aramus, Vieill. Courlan

Birds of America

By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.

VOLUME V.

GENUS V.--ARAMUS, Vieill. COURLAN.

Bill long, being double the length of the head, rather slender, but strong, much compressed, straight, its breadth less before the nostrils than towards the point; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight until towards the end, then slightly arcuato-declinate, the ride convex in its whole length, the sides nearly erect, more convex toward the extremity, the tip blunted, the edges broad and obtuse for half their length, sharp but thick in the rest of their extent; lower mandible slightly ascending at the base, then direct, much compressed toward the tip, which is acute, the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line slightly convex, the edges obtuse, becoming sharp towards the end; nasal groove nearly half the length of the bill. Nostrils direct, linear, long. Head rather small, oblong, compressed; neck long and slender; body ovato-oblong, much compressed. Feet very long, rather stout; tibia bare in its lower half; tarsus long, compressed, anteriorly broadly scutellate; toes long, rather slender; hind toe small; fourth considerably longer than second; anterior toes divided to the base, scutellate. Claws of moderate length, very slightly arched, compressed, tapering to a point. Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath. Wings of moderate length, very broad, concave, rounded; first short, falciform, with the inner web broader toward the end; fourth quill longest; inner secondaries much elongated. Tail short, broad, convex, rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers. Digestive organs as in the Rails and Gallinules.