242 URINATORES. DI\T5RS. 



webbed. The Alcince, or Auks, are of a shorter form, with a 

 thicker neck, the bill much compressed, being expanded in a 

 vertical direction ; the hind toe Avanting ; the anterior toes 

 webbed. The last group, that of the Pelecanince, although 

 it presents a most uniform organization with respect to the 

 digestive organs, contains species very different in form and 

 habits, some of them being adapted for swimming and diving, 

 wdiile others, indicating Ji transition to the next order, that of 

 the Mersatores, plunge from the air into the w^ater, and, in 

 correspondence with this mode of procuring their food, have 

 larger wings and more pointed bills. These four groups, 

 however, are perfectly natural and intelligible. 



Only nineteen species of this order occur in Britain ; but 

 most of them are extremely numerous in individuals. 



The most extraordinary composition of an order of birds 

 know^n to me is that of M. Temminck's Pinnatipedes, in 

 Avhich are placed the genera Fulica, Phalaropus, and Podiccps. 



