TOTIPALM.E. 153 



their feet, and the use which they make of them in 

 walking up to the surface of the water after they have 

 plunged into it from a considerable height, render 

 them very distinct from the other sea birds. 



The fourth and last group into which Cuvier 

 arranges these birds, LAMELLIROSTRES, or flat-billed 

 birds, comprehending ducks, geese, swans, and al- 

 lied genera. There are considerable differences of 

 haunt and habit among them ; but still they are dis- 

 tinct, and well-marked as a group. But it is doubtful 

 whether they should occupy the place which Cuvier 

 assigns them, as they more resemble the divers in 

 all their general characters than they do the birds 

 of the two intermediate groups. 



Such is a short outline of the systematic arrange- 

 ment of birds, as proposed by the most scientific 

 general systematist of modern times. Many parts of 



