ANATID^. 



-507 



SUB-FAMILY VI L 

 Erismaturix.e.* The Spiny-tailed Ducks. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill elevated at the base, and the anterior half much depressed 

 to the tip, which is furnished with a nail : the wings short and concave, with 

 the ends of the quills incurved ; the tail lengthened, and composed of narrow 

 rigid feathers, which are but slightly protected with coverts both above and 

 below; the tarsi shorter than the middle toe, and compressed; the toes 

 lengthened, the anterior oiu-s united by a full web, and the hind toe long 

 and furnished with a broad web. 



"^^^-^"x^^NX^^r 



Fig. 198.— the ferruginous spiny-tailed duck. 



{Eri^matura ferrngineu.) 



The Ducks belonging to this sub-family are met 

 with in various parts of both hemispheres. The}" 

 are peculiarly aquatic birds, living in large sheets of 

 saline waters and rivers, especially in the vicinity of 

 the sea. In such places, they are generally seen in 



* 'ipia^a, erisma. a cause of strife ; ovpci, oura, a tail. 



