23 



Suborder III. ANSERES. 



The Anseres, like the Flamingoes, have uncinated processes on the 

 ribs, a ventral bare tract, the anterior toes fully vrebbed, and the 

 margins of the bill laminated ; but are to be distinguished by the 

 basipterygoid processes being placed as far forward as possible, and by 

 the tarsus being about the length of the femur, reticulated behind and 

 generally in front ; the sternum has a pair of notches on the posterior 

 margin, but in some of the Fuligulbue and in the 2Jergince the notches 

 are converted into two complete fenestnie. The tongue is large, fleshy, 

 with the margins toothed. The bill of the Anseres is generally 

 broad and more or less flattened ; in the Mergime and some of the 

 Falu/ulhue narrow and more or less tapering to a point ; all have a 

 distinct nail at the tip of the upper mandible. The males are 

 furnished with a large spiral penis. They are monogamous. Their 

 nest is a rough construction, variously situated ; the eggs are 

 numerous, creamy buff, or greenish white, or pure white. The 

 young, as in all the Chenomorjjh(p, are covered with down when 

 hatclied, and able to run or swim at once. 



Anseres are truly cosmopolitan birds. 



One family only. 



Family I. ANATID^E. 



Key to the Subfamilies. 



Hind toe not lobed. 

 a. Neck very long, as long as or even 



longer than the body 1. CYGNIN^, p. 24. 



h'. Neck moderate. 



b". Feet semipalmated ; hind toe very 



long, on the same level with the [p. 44. 



anterior ones 2. ANSERANA TIN AH, 



c". Feet palmated. 



c"'. Hind toe rather long ; tail- 

 feathers rather long, broad, 



rounded at the tip ; upper parts [p. 45. 



mostly glossy 3. PLECTROPTERIN.E, 



