590 



DUCKS. 



Sjth-Faviily II. 



THE SPUR-WINGED GEESE. PLECTROPTERIXiE.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill long, generally of equal width throughout, and 

 armed at the tip with a strong broad nail, tlic apical part of the tibia and knee 

 naked ; the tarsi lengthened, compressed, and covered with small subquadrate 

 scales ; the toes moderate, and the anterior ones more or loss united by a membrane, 

 the hind toe long, simple, and generally elevated. 



The Geese belonging to this sub-family are remarkable on 

 account of the structure of their wings, which arc armed at the 



Fig. 193.— The Fox-Goose (Chcnalopex jubatiis). 



wrist with one or two sharp spurs, somewhat resembling those on 

 the legs of a fighting cock, wherewith they are able to inflict ugly 



• TcVqKTpov, plektron, a cock's spur ; vreprjv, pteron, a wing: spur-winged. 



