SUB-ORDER 



ANSERES. 



If we adopt the arrangement given by Bonaparte in tlie Comptes Rendus for October, 1853, 

 Vol. XXXVII, the Anseres will be composed chiefly of species with the mandibles lamellated 

 along the edges, nearly perpendicularly to the margins. Where there is no such lamellar 

 condition of the bill, the legs are short and placed far back ; the wings very short, concave, and 

 much rounded, sometimes very rudimentary ; the tail is sometimes nearly wanting. 



There would then be three principal sections or tribes of the Anseres characterisable as follows : 



A. Lamdlirostres. — Bill, with transverse lamellae along the edges ; depressed. 



Anatidae.' — Bill with the commissure nearly straight. Bill covered with a soft skin, 

 ending in a hard, horny nail. Legs rather short ; the tibia feathered nearly to the 

 joint. 



B. Vrinatores. — Wings short, concave, rounded, but fitted for use in fliglit. Tail short or 

 wanting. Bill with a horny covering ; usually compressed. 



Alcidae. — Hind toe wanting ; claws compressed. Bill compressed. 



CoLTMBiDAE. — Hind toe with a conspicuous lobe. Anterior toes connected by a full mem- 

 brane. Lores feathered. Tail distinct. 



PoDiciPiDAE. — Hind toe with conspicuous lobe. Toes bordered laterally by a broad con- 

 tinuous membrane, but not connected across except at base. Lores naked. Tail rudi- 

 mentary or wanting. 



C. Ptilopteri. — Wings rudimentary, without projecting quills. Hind toe very small, ante- 

 rior ; attached to the side of the tarsus. Legs entirely imbedded in the rump. 



Of the Ptilopteri, with its single family Spheniscidae, embracing the different species of pen- 

 guins, there are no representatives on the coast of North America. 



As already remarked, however, Bonaparte subsequently confined the Anseres to the Lamelli- 

 rostres, transferring the Urinatores to the Gaviae. He also made a separate order of the 

 Ptilopteri. This modified arrangement has accordingly been adopted in the present report. 



' If Photnicopteridat be placed in the Xatalores, it will come under LanuUiroslres, with the following diagnosis compared with 

 JinMidat. 



Photnicopteridat. — Commissure bent abruptly in the middle nearly at a right angle. Bill without nail. Legs excessively 

 lengthened ; tibia bare for half its length. 



