643 



PLECTROPTERUS. SPUR-WINGED GOOSE. 



This genus differs very little from the preceding, except in 

 presenting, instead of a soft, or skin-covered knob, on the 

 tarsi, a projecting, pointed, hard spur, analogous to that so 

 conspicuous in the Jacanas and some members of the Plover 

 family. 



The bill is nearly as long as the head, stout, straight, of 

 nearly equal height and breadth at the base, where there is a 

 protuberance, and becoming depressed toward the end, which 

 is broadly rounded, with the unguis large, very convex, much 

 decurved, and strong-edged ; the lamellae of the upper man- 

 dible externally thin and concealed. The general aspect is 

 that of an ordinary Goose ; the legs, however, rather longer ; 

 the wings rather long and broad ; the tail short and rounded. 



