NATATORES. 



CHAPTER XII. 



NATATORES. 



AMERICAN SWAN MALLARD DUCK WOOD DUCK CANVASS- 

 BACK EIDER AND LONG-TAIL DUCK HOODED MERGANSER 

 ARCTIC TERN GULLS PETREL. 



THE Natatores comprises a large variety of Geese, 

 Swans, Ducks, Gulls, Tern, and all other web-footed 

 birds, except the Flamingo, which, notwithstanding 

 it has this peculiarity, we have placed among the 

 Grallatores, its habits and manners, and general ap- 

 pearance, agreeing more nearly with them than with 

 the Natatores. It, however, appears to be a connect- 

 ing link between the two, the form of the bill and 

 the mode of feeding being similar to that of the 

 Duck tribe ; while its long legs, stately attitude, its 

 wading propensities, and other prominent character- 

 istics, must ever associate it with the Heron and 

 other kindred families. 



The limits of this work will not admit of our en- 

 tering into any very extensive description of the 

 many beautiful and interesting objects which will 

 present themselves to our view as we examine the 

 field before us. Without intending to slight our 

 web-footed friends, we shall therefore select for de- 

 scription a few honest representatives from the various 



