ORDER ANSERES. 



FAMILY ANATID^. 



Bill usually flat, broad, sometimes long and narrow, provided 

 with lamellte, or tooth-like projections on sides and with a nail at 

 the tip. Toes, four; the three anterior ones webbed, hind toe 

 normal or lobed. Tarsus, flattened. 



KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES. 

 {For North American Species.) 

 A. Bill not compressed; no tooth-like serrations. 



a. Hind toe not lobed. 



CL . Neck very long, sometimes as long \ 

 as the body. Size large. ' Skin cover- \ 

 ing bill extending to the eyes. ) 



b' . Neck moderate. Bill strong, higher | 

 at base than at side; cutting edges more I 

 or less beveled, sometimes exposing the j 

 prominent lamellae. J 



c' . Neck, short. 



a!' . Tail feathers long, broad, rounded 1 

 at tip. Upper coverts very long, 

 nearly reaching end of tail. Bill 

 rather narrow, high at base, tapering 

 to a point. 

 b" . Tail feathers moderate, median 

 pair sometimes elongated. Bill flat, 

 frequently very broad. 



b. Hind toe broadly lobed. 

 a' . Tail feathers normal. 



b' . Tail feathers narrow, stiff, pointed. 



I 



B. Bill greatly compressed; serrations, tooth- ] 

 like. S 



THE SWAN. 



C}'g)iiiice. 



THE GEESE. 



Anserince. 



WOOD DUCK. 



Plectropte- 



FRESH-WATER 

 DUCKS. 



Anatince. 



SEA- DUCKS, 



FuligulincE. 



SPINE-TAIL 

 DUCKS. 



Erisniaiurince. 



MERGANSERS. 



MergincE. 



