Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/267

254 periodical migrations, and are thus widely distributed over the globe. They commonly stretch out their long legs behind the body during flight, thus maintaining their balance, which otherwise, from the extreme shortness of their tails, might be difficult. Those genera which are most aquatic place their nests among the reeds and herbage of marshy places, or, as the Herons, build in society on trees; those which frequent dry and stony places, frequently lay their eggs on the bare ground, or content themselves with such protection as a tuft of grass may afford. The eggs are usually marked with spots on a coloured ground; they are commonly of a lengthened form, with one end much pointed.



The Order is very extensive, and comprises the following five Families:—Charadriadæ, Ardeadæ, Scolopacidæ, Palamedeadæ, and Rallidæ.