ANATID^E. LX. 137 



OEDEE P.-LAMELLIEOSTEES. 



(The Anserine Birds) 



Bill lamellate, i. e., furnished along each cutting edge 

 with a regular series of tooth-like processes, which cor- 

 respond to certain laciniate processes of the fleshy tongue, 

 which ends in a horny tip; bill large, thick, high at base, 

 depressed towards the end, membranous except at the 

 obtuse tip which is occupied by a horny nail; no gular 

 pouch. Head high, compressed, with sloping forehead; 

 eyes small. Feet 4-toed (excepting some Flamingoes), 

 palmate ; hind toe small, elevated ; tibia feathered in 

 Anatidce, bare below in the Flamingoes. Wings strong, 

 short. Legs short (except in Phcenicopteridm, where 

 excessively elongated) ; precocial ; swimming birds. An 

 important and familiar order, comprising nearly all the 

 " Water Fowl " which are valued in domestication or as 

 game birds. There are two families, Phoenicopteridce 

 the Flamingoes, and the following: 



FAMILY LX. ANATIDJE 



(The Ducks.) 



Characters of bill, etc., as given above. Body heavy, 

 flattened beneath. Head large; eyes small. Tail 

 various, usually short, of 14 to 16 feathers, the lower 

 coverts being long and full. Feet short, anterior toes 

 full -webbed. Sexes usually quite unlike (excepting 

 among the Swans and Geese.) Species one hundred and 

 seventy -five, of all parts of the world; migratory. The 

 sub - families are indicated below. 

 * Lores naked ; adult entirely white ; large birds ; Swans. (CvG- 



NIN^E.) CYGNUS, 1. 



** Lores feathered; tarsus entirely reticulate ; Geese. (ANSERINE.) 



a. Bill and legs not black ; colors white, bluish, etc. ANSER, 2. 



