238 



THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



Grey Lag (Anser cinereus] (see vol. i, p. 177), and many other 

 geese. The Goosander (Mergus merganser) and allied forms, 

 on the other hand, are diving birds, which live on fish. Most of 

 the included forms, however, are omnivorous to a greater or less 

 extent. Among geese which are distinguished by this habit may 

 be mentioned the Brent Goose (Bernicla brenta] (fig. 457), which 

 during the winter migrates far south from the Arctic regions, and 



Fig. 457. Brent Geese (Bernicla brenta} 



is common on our eastern coasts during the cold part of the year. 

 It feeds on the tenderer sea- weeds and the small animals, such as 

 crustaceans, which live among these. DUCKS and SWANS are om- 

 nivorous in habit. The way in which the structure of their bills 

 enables them to secure small aquatic animals has already been 

 mentioned (p. 65). It need only be added here that grass seeds, 

 and the succulent parts of water plants, also form part of their 



food. 



GAME-BIRDS (GALLING) 



The group of GAME-BIRDS includes species which for the most 

 part feed on the ground. Their strong, often rather short, beaks 

 and powerful claws are well suited to the mixed food upon which 

 most of them subsist, and which commonly includes the juicy parts 

 of plants, grain, seeds, and small invertebrates such as worms. 

 Many of them use the claws for turning over the earth in search 

 of food, a habit which has earned for them the name of " scratch- 

 ing birds" (Rasores). 



