506 



PALMIPEDES, 



SUB-FAMILY VI. 



FULIGULIN.E. 



The Sea-Duch 



Gkn. Charac— Bill of various lengths, elevated at the base, and more or less 

 broad and depressed towards the tip, which is armed with a broad strong 

 nail; the wings moderate and pointed; the tail generally short, and more 

 or less wedge-shaped ; the tarsi much shorter than the middle toe, and com- 

 pressed ; the toes long and united by a full web, the outer as long as the 

 middle toe, the hind toe short and deeply margined with a broad mem- 

 })ranous web. 



Fig. 197— the tufted sea-duck. 

 {FuU<jnla crigtatu.) 



These birds are inhabitants of tlie northern 

 regions of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating to 

 the temperate districts on the approach of winter. 

 One species, however, is pecuUar to New Zealand. 

 They are met with in pairs and small societies, fre- 

 quenting fresh- water lakes and rivers, but some are 

 more especially found on the sea- shore. . Their food 

 consists principally of small univalve and bivalve 

 mollusca, for which they dive, or seek in the pools 

 left on sand-banks after the tide has receded. 



