10 



XYIL CRIBKATOEES. SIFTERS. 



The detailed characters of this extensive Order having 

 been ab-eady given in the Fourth Volume, and two of the 

 Families — the Anserince and Cygnince — there described, we 

 have now to introduce the Family of Anatince, or Fresh- 

 water Ducks. 



ANATINiE. 



D UCKS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



Thebe are no strictly definable limits between the An- 

 serinse and the present group, many species being nearly 

 equally referable to either. However distinct a common 

 Grey Goose and a Teal may appear, they are connected by 

 species so graduating as to leave no palpable line of separa- 

 tion. Yet the two groups, taken in the mass, present obvious 

 differences, and may at least be conveniently admitted as dis- 

 tinct. But all Ducks, popularly so called, are not admitted 

 into the family of the Anatinse ; those which chiefly frequent 

 the sea, and feed on marine mollusca and fishes being kept 

 apart to form the group of the Fuligulinae, or Sea Ducks. 

 The general characters of the Anatinoe, or Fresh Water 

 Ducks, are the following : — 



Their body is oblong or elliptical, of nearly equal height 

 and breadth ; the neck usually rather long and slender ; the 

 head moderate, oblong, compressed, rounded above. The 

 bill about the length of the head, or shorter, higher than 

 broad at the base, gradually depressed, and generally be- 



