94 FULIGULINiE. 



nasal sinus ; eyes small, as are the apertures of the ears. 

 Legs yery short, placed rather far behind ; tibia bare for a 

 very short space ; tarsus very short, compressed, with anterior 

 short scutella ; hind toe small, with an inferior compressed 

 lobe ; two outer toes about equal, and longer than the tarsus ; 

 interdigital membranes full ; claws small, slender, arcuate, 

 compressed, obtuse, that of the third toe with the inner edge 

 expanded. 



Plumage dense, elastic, firm, glossy ; feathers of the head 

 and neck slender, and blended ; wings short, convex, narrow, 

 pointed, the first and second quills longest ; inner secondaries 

 elongated and tapering ; tail generally small, much romided 

 or tapering, of more than twelve feathers. 



The Fuligulinse are essentially carnivorous. Some of 

 them, approaching the Anatinse in form and habits, frequent 

 fresh-water, and feed on moUusca, insects, and occasionally 

 plants. Most of them, however, are essentially marine birds, 

 frequenting bays and estuaries, or the shallow parts of the 

 open coasts, and feeding on mollusca, Crustacea, and sea- 

 plants, for which they dive. They are all expert swimmers, 

 as well as divers, and have a rapid and direct flight ; but 

 walk little and ungracefully, owing to the shortness and 

 position of their feet. They are gregarious and migratory. 

 The males are larger, and usually differently coloured. They 

 form their nests on the shores of the sea, on islands, or un- 

 frequented headlands, b\it also by lakes or rivers, often hning 

 them, or covering their eggs, with down plucked from their 

 bodies. The eggs are moderately numerous, smooth-shelled, 

 white or greyish, greenish or blueish, but always of one colour. 

 The young, densely covered with stiffish down, presently 

 betake themselves to the water, where they swim and dive 

 with the greatest expertness. When incubation has com- 

 menced, the males desert the females, and flock by them- 

 selves. 



Representatives of this family occur in all climates, but 

 are more numerous in the temperate and cold regions. Their 

 flesh is little esteemed, being generally very dark-coloured 

 and rank, though a few species are lauded for their peculiarly 

 rich flavour. 



