ORDER ANSERES. 



FAMILY ANATID^E. 



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

 with lamelke, 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. 



a'. 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 ! 

 or less beveled, sometimes exposing the j 

 prominent lamellae. 

 c '. Neck, short. 



a". Tail feathers long, broad, rounded 1 



at tip. Upper coverts very long, j 



nearly reaching end of tail. Bill V 



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. 



THE SWAN. 



Cygnince. 



THE GEESE. 



Ansertnce. 



WOOD DUCK. 



Plectropte- 

 rincz, 



FRESH-WATER 

 DUCKS. 



Anattnce, 



b '. Tail feathers narrow, stiff, pointed. 



B. Bill greatly compressed; serrations, tooth- J 

 like. f 



263 



SEA-DUCKS. 



Fuligulince. 



SPINE-TAIL 

 DUCKS. 



Erismaturincz . 



MERGANSERS. 



Mergince. 



