HARELD. 191 



Legs very short, and placed far behind ; tarsus compressed, 

 with anterior small scutella. Hind toe very small, with a 

 lobiform membrane ; outer toes equal, and about double the 

 length of the tarsus ; membranes full ; claws small, slender, 

 little arched. 



Plumage firm, blended ; the feathers moderate and oblong ; 

 scapulars and middle tail-feathers much elongated and taper- 

 ing in the male, wings short, convex, acute ; the first and 

 second quills about equal and longest ; tail small, of fourteen 

 feathers. 



This genus appears to be more nearly allied to Clangula 

 than to any other. The form of the trachea indicates an 

 affinity to the Mergansers. The only known species is en- 

 tirely marine, unless in the breeding season, and feeds on 

 bivalve shell-fish, asterise, and Crustacea. 



