CRIBRATORES. SIFTERS. 577 



the best materials for beds and pillows ; the down of some 

 species is used in the colder countries for quilts and coverlets ; 

 the skin with the down attached affords articles of clothing ; 

 and the quills of others, especially the Grey Goose, have 

 supplied for ages the instruments by which the philosopher, 

 the historian, and the poet, have communicated to their con- 

 temporaries and transmitted to posterity their discoveries and 

 thoughts. Many species afford most savoury food, and of 

 some the flesh is lauded by the epicure as superlative ; but, 

 in general, they are inferior to the Gallinaceous Birds as 

 articles of food, at least to persons not of robust habit, or 

 not engaged in laborious occupations. 



In the wild state, all the birds of this family are very shy 

 and vigilant, but several of them are very easily domesticated ; 

 and it appears strange that we should not have reduced more 

 of them to a state of servitude, The reason, however, seems 

 to be that the common Goose and Duck, already subjugated, 

 answer nearly all the purposes that could be accomplished by 

 the domestication of other species. Their sense of sight and 

 hearing are moderately acute ; their smell we have no means 

 of estimating ; but their taste and touch, if we may judge 

 from the size and distribution of the nerves with which the 

 bill, covered by soft skin, is furnished, and the fleshy nature 

 of the tongue, must be superior to that of most birds. Their 

 instincts are varied and remarkable. In flying to a distance, 

 and especially when migrating, they have a tendency to form 

 files or angular lines ; they are all in some degree gregarious, 

 living together in the greatest harmony, and communicating 

 their feelings by repeated cries and modula tions of their voice ; 

 when their wants are satisfied they exhibit a great degree of 

 sportiveness, especially when on the water, shooting along, 

 diving, and splashing with their wings. Their intellectual 

 faculties, if not of a high order, are not inferior to those of 

 most Water Birds. Like the ass, and all submissive drudges, 

 however useful, the Goose has obtained a character for stupi- 

 dity by no means merited, its intellect being far superior io 

 that of the Domestic Fowl, Turkey, or Peacock. 



This order may be divided into six subordinate groups or 

 families : — The Flamingoes, Geese, Swans, Ducks, Pochards, 



o o 



