Order YEI. ANSERES. Linnffius. 



This division embraces many species of Birds, whicli are 

 peculiar for having their tarsi usually very short, compressed, 

 and placed more posteriorly than is the case with those that 

 compose the other orders ; the toes are connected together 

 by a membrane, which sometimes extends to the end of each 

 toe ; the hind toe is sometimes free, though more or less 

 webbed, and thus their feet are well adapted to assist them in 

 their progress on or in the water. 



The First Family, ANATID^, or Ducks, 



have the bill generally depressed, broad, and always laminated 

 on the sides ; the lamination being more prominent in some 

 species than in others. 



The First Sub-Family, PHCENICOPTERIN^, 

 or Flamingoes, 



have the bill large, compressed, suddenly bent downwards in 

 the middle, and the lateral margins laminated ; the tarsi very 

 long, slender, with the tibia also lengthened and naked ; the 

 toes short ; the anterior ones united by a membranous web. 



Genus PHCENICOPTERUS, Linn. 

 Bill larger than the head, higher than broad at the base, 

 with the culmen flatteneH, and suddenly bent downwards in 

 the middle ; the sides narrowing, and rather obtuse at the 

 tip ; the lower mandible narrow at the base, widening in the 

 middle, and then narrowing to the tip ; the lateral margins 

 curved, and finely laminated; the nostrils placed in a groove, 

 linear, and covered by a membrane ; wings moderate, with 

 the first and second quills nearly equal and longest ; tail 

 short; tarsi very long, slender, slightly compressed, and 



