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GENUS I. ANSERANAS. 
> Ext. Cuar. Pedes digitis longis, semi-membrinatis, witions 
- magnisincurvatis instructis. Zarsimagni. Tibiemultum denudate. 
Rostrum longum acuminatum cera ad oculos tendente. Caput ossea 
_ tubercula supra nares et ungue, magna. 
_ Anat. CHar. Trachea longa convoluta. 
Type. Anseranas semipalmatus, Less. 
CHORISTOPUS nobis. 
AnsER. Linn. Auct. 
Type. Anseranas semipalmatus. 
_ Affinity. This genus certainly approaches most nearly of any 
among the Anatide to the order Grallatores. To the genus Plectrop- 
_ terus-it is nearly allied in form. 
GENUS II PLECTROPTERUS. 
Ext. Cuar. Pedes membrinati digitis posterioribus longis, 
‘ _-magnis, sed non lobatis, unguibus magnis et incurvatis instructis. 
Rostrum latum ungue magna instructa. Nares ovales, in medio rostri 
~ posite. Ale una calcaria armate. 
“ Ext. Cuan. Feet with the posterior toes long, large, and not 
~~ lobed; armed with large and curved claws. Bill broad, furnished 
with a large nail. Nostrils oval, placed in the middle of the bill. 
Wings armed with one spur. 
Anas. Linn. 
PLECTROPTERUS. Steph. 
Tyre. Plectropterus gambersis. 
SUB FAM. IT. ANSERINAL. 
Ext. Cuar. RHostrumaltius-quamlatum. Pedes mediocres validi, 
digitis posterioribus non lobatis. 
Ext. Cuar. Bill higher than broad. eet moderate, strong, the 
posterior toes not lobed. 
Hasit. The birds contained in this family feed equally on the 
. land and water; some species, however, scarcely ever approach it: the 
whole live almost entirely on vegetables. They have a very wide geo-' 
graphical range, and are mostly migratory. , 
Type. Anser ferus. 
Affinities. The nearest aay! it appears to present to the 
