54 ANATID.E. 



these are remarkable for their powers of swimming arid diving ; 

 they are commonly called Water Fowl, and as an Order 

 have frequently been designated Palmipedes, in reference to 

 their webbed feet. From the geographical position, extent, 

 and varied character of the British Islands, the species of this 

 Order are very numerous, comprehending nearly one third of 

 the whole number of our British Birds. The first family of 

 this Order, the Anatidse, is also extensive, including the Geese, 

 Swans, Ducks and Mergansers. The first three portions were 

 formerly considered as belonging but to one genus, jinas ; 

 and hence the family name Anatidse : modern systematic 

 authors have found it more convenient, as well as desirable, to 

 divide them into smaller groups, Avhicli are known to be dis- 

 tinct in their characters and habits, and these will be hereafter 

 referred to. Many of the species are of great interest and 

 value. 



Under the term, Wild Goose, four or five species are 

 frequently included, and the Grey Lag Goose, or Grey- 

 legged Goose, which is considered to be the true reading, 

 the first on our list, has not always been so well defined or re- 

 presented as to exhibit the true specific characters, that dis- 

 tinguish it from the Bean Goose and White-fronted Goose, 

 with which the Grey-legged Goose is the most frequently 

 confounded. The present species is considered to be the 

 origin from which our valuable domestic race is derived ; and 

 to show the aptitude of the wild bird to this purpose, I may 

 mention, that the Zoological Society of London, possessing 

 a pinioned wild Grey-legged Gander, which had never asso- 

 ciated with either Bean Goose or White-fronted Goose, 

 though both were kept on the same water with him, a domes- 

 tic goose selected in the London market, from the circum- 

 stance of her exhibiting in her plumage the marks which be- 

 long to, and distinguish the true Grey-legged species, was 

 this season, 1841, brought and put down to him. The pair 



