m 



PALMIPEDES. 



small societies of five or six individuals, and mostly 

 apart from other races of water-birds. While 

 swimming, their bodies are entirely hidden beneath 

 the surface of the water, nothing but the head and 

 neck being visible. Their form makes them very 

 expert in diving, when seeking for the molluscous 

 animals and fishes which constitute their principal 

 food. Their nest is a half-floating cradle, con- 

 structed of reeds and other water-plants. 



The type of the race is — 



The Ferruginous Spiny -tailed Duck {Erismatura 

 ferruginea). 



LS> 



.^^-^ 



^: 



