278 A COURSE ON ZOOLOGY. 



larger wild-geese are almost three feet long. The swans 

 are remarkable for their elegance of form and grace of 

 movement. 



Odontoglossae. The flamingo has a tongue whose sides 

 and base are covered with horny spines. They can swim 

 in deep water, but the legs are rather adapted for wading 

 than for swimming. One European species, when erect, 

 stands about six feet high. 



Herodiones. Like the flamingoes, most of the birds of 



FIG. 221. 



COMMON HERON (Ardea cinerea). 



this order have very long legs, and the lower parts of 

 the thighs are without feathers. The length of leg is 

 compensated for by the great length of the neck and 

 bill, by which, without stooping, the bird can pick up 

 from the level of its feet the reptiles, insects, and fish 



