112 FULIGULA. 



somewhat semicircular. (Esophagus ratlier wide ; proventri- 

 cuhis oblong. Stomach a very muscular gizzard, of a trans- 

 versely elliptical form, placed obliquely, with longitudinally 

 rugous epithelium, forming thick, somewhat concave cir- 

 cular grinding plates. Intestine very long and wide ; cceca 

 long, of moderate width; rectum very short. 



Nostrils small, in the lower and fore part of the nasal 

 sinus ; eyes small ; ears very small. Legs very short, placed 

 rather far behind ; tarsus compressed, Avith small anterior 

 scutella; hind toe very slender, with a broad membrane; 

 outer toes about equal, and double the length of the tarsus ; 

 interdigital membranes emarginate ; claws small, slender, 

 little arched, rather pointed. 



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

 neck very soft, blended, silky, or velvety ; of the other parts 

 moderate, ovate, wings short, convex, narrow, pointed, of 

 twenty-six quills ; primaries narrow, the first longest. Tail 

 very small, much rounded or cuneate, of fourteen stiffish, 

 tapering feathers. 



Black, white, and grey are the prevailing colours of the 

 plumage. The females have the colours less decided, brown 

 being generally substituted for black, and the markings 

 larger. The young resemble the females. The birds of this 

 genus, from the shortness of their legs, and the great size of 

 their anterior toes, walk with difficulty, but swim and dive 

 with ease. They are essentially marine in the winter season, 

 although even then they not unfrequently betake themselves 

 to fresh water. They feed on vegetable substances, shell-fish, 

 Crustacea, insects, and larvae. In summer, when they resort 

 to the arctic marshes, they reside chiefly in fresh water. 

 Their flight is strong, direct, and quick. According to the 

 kind of food principally used, and which they procure chiefly 

 by diving, their flesh varies in flavour, but is generally good, 

 being, although dark-coloured, savoury, and highly flavoured, 

 but rather difficult to be digested. 



