oi REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
second division includes the Red-crested Duck, Pochard, Ferruginous 
‘Duck, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and 
Golden Eye; while between the two divisions he places, as possessing 
some of the characters of each, the Eider Duck, King Duck, Velvet 
Duck, and Scoter. 
McGillivray accepts this arrangement, with some slight variations, 
remarking that the differences as to habits, as well as structure, are 
quite obvious ; and he gives us a graphic description of the three 
types. “High in air,” he says, ‘advancing on gently arched and 
outspread wings, that winnow a passage for them over the far-spreading 
sea, is seen advancing from the north a flock of large birds, that are 
observed, as they draw nearer, to be arranged in lines ever undulating 
and changing figure; while their clear cries seem to express their 
joy at having escaped the dangers of their long passage over the 
waste of waters. Now they descend, mingle their ranks, wheel in 
dislocated bands, unite, sweep along, and, clamorous in their joy, at 
length alight on the open pasture. Having rested a while and plumed 
themselves, they begin to move about in search of food, walking 
sedately and with decurrent necks, stretching their strong bills to the 
ground, from which they wrench the roots of the grasses and pluck 
the herbage. Prudent, however—as they well need be in an unex- 
plored tract—and careful of their safety, they neither scatter about at 
random nor leave themselves subject to surprise. Should a suspicious 
object present itself, one of them presently erects himself and emits 
a warning cry, on hearing which they all rise together, raise their 
necks to their full stretch, and carefully inspect the ground. Should 
the danger be imminent, they run a few paces forward, spread out 
their large wings, ascend into the air, and betake themselves to 
some distant place.” These are of the first division, or Crzbatores, 
as Mr. McGillivray calls them—more useful to man than the other 
aquatic birds, many of them not only affording him savoury food, 
but feathers, quills, and down; while some have become domesti- 
cated, and rival the gallinaceous fowls in utility: these are the Ducks 
and Geese of the poultry-yards and commons. 
These web-footed birds, the ZLamellirostre of Cuvier, are distin- 
guished from all others by their laminated bills, which are thick, and 
have a covering of soft skin, they have also small teeth placed along 
the edge. The tongue is fleshy, broad, and dentated on the edge. 
They are aquatic, and principally inhabit the fresh-water lakes and 
rivers. Their wings being short, and living chiefly on the water, they 
are badly qualified for a sustained flight. Their food is mostly 
vegetable. 
