382 CLASS XVI. 



fly little and progress by small leaps, for their feet are turned outwards, 

 almost as in frogs ; they lay two grey -brown, spotted eggs. 



Podicejys Lath., Eetz., alior., ColymUis Briss., Illig. (species 

 from gen. Colymhus L.). Feet lobed. Tarsi covered with large 

 transverse scutsUa, serrate posteriorly. Pollex posterior, bordered 

 by membrane. Claws flat, depressed. Tail scarcely any. Bill 

 in some rather longer than head, in some shorter, straight. 

 Nostrils oblong, lateral, pervious. 



Sp. Podiceps crisfatus Lath., Colymhus cristatus L., Buff. PI. enl. 400, 

 Naum. Taf. 242, Less. Ornith. Tab. no, fig. i (named Col. cornuti) the 

 great crested grebe ; in lakes, fish-ponds, &o. ; very common in Holland; — 

 Podicein auritus Lath., Sturm Deutsch. Faun., Vogel, i Heft, Naumann, 

 Taf. 246; — Podiceps arcticus Boie, Cohjmbus auritus L., Naum. Taf. 245; 

 — Podiceps minor Lath., Buff. PI. enl. 905, Naum. Taf. 247, &c. These 

 birds live on fishes, water-insects, &c., also on vegetable food. They all 

 reside in fresh water during the brooding time, make a large nest of rushes 

 amongst the reeds, and lay three or four dirty-white eggs. Species 

 are found in all quarters of the world, especially however in temperate 

 regions. 



Podilymbus Less. [Sylheocyclus Bonap.). Bill short, compressed, 

 hooked at the tip. 



Sp. Podiceps earoUnensis Lath., Colymhus 2Md!ceps L., Buff. PI. enl. 943; 

 — Pod. brevirosfris, Podilymbus brevirostris Gray, Gen. Tab. CLXXil. 

 (Species American.) 



Family II. Anatince. {Lamelloso-dentati) . Bill moderate, or 

 longer than head, straight, rather thick, covered with skin, only at 

 the middle of tip harder, horny, with margin denticulate or far- 

 nished with transverse, parallel, crowded lamella. Wings fitted 

 for flying, with flag-feathers elongate, the second primary equalling 

 the first, or somewhat surpassing it in length. Feet palmate, tetra- 

 dactylous, with pollex apart. 



Duck-trihe. — A numerous and very natural family, of which 

 more than 150 species are known, which with Linnaeus form two 

 genera, of which the genus Anas is the largest. The eggs of these 

 birds are spotless, seldom coloured (as in Anas spectahilis, blue- 

 green), but generally white or dirty white. The flesh of most of 

 the species of the genus Anas has an agreeable taste; many are 

 useful moreover from their feathers. With the gallinaceous birds 

 they form principally the feathered animals of the cottage and the 

 country-seat. 



