234 NATATORES. 
CHAPTER XII. 
NATATORES. 
AMERICAN SWAN—MALLARD DUCK—WOOD DUCK—CANVASS- 
BACK—EIDER AND LONG-TAIL DUCK—HOODED MERGANSER 
—ARCTIC TERN—GULLS—PETREL. 
THE Natatores comprises a large variety of Geese, 
Swans, Ducks, Gulls, Tern, and all other web-footed 
birds, except the Flamingo, which, notwithstanding 
it has this peculiarity, we have placed among the 
Grallatores, its habits and manners, and general ap- 
pearance, agreeing more nearly with them than with 
the Natatores. It, however, appears to be a connect- 
ing link between the two, the form of the bill and 
the mode of feeding being similar to that of the 
Duck tribe; while its long legs, stately attitude, its 
wading propensities, and other prominent character- 
istics, must ever associate it with the Heron and 
other kindred families. 
The limits of this work will not admit of our en- 
tering into any very extensive description of the 
many beautiful and interesting objects which will 
present themselves to our view as we examine the 
field before us. Without intending to slight our 
web-footed friends, we shall therefore select for de- 
scription a few honest representatives from the various 
