AVES. 385 



Choristopus EYTON, Anseranas LESS., GEAY. Bill moderate, 

 somewhat thick, with margins lamelloso-dentate, the lamellae de- 

 pressed, not exsert. Hallux simple. Tarsi rather long, reticulate. 

 Feet semipalmate. 



Sp. Choristopus mdanoleucus, Anas melanoleuca LATH., Cuv. Mem. du Mus. 

 xiv. 1827, PI. 19, from New Holland ; a species about the size of a stork, 

 of which it has nearly the feet. 



Anser BRISS. Bill shorter than head, narrowed towards the 

 tip, at the base higher than broad, with conical marginal laminae. 

 Nostrils in middle part of bill. Tarsi reticulate. Hallux simple. 



The geese have their legs higher and placed not so far backward as the 

 ducks proper ; hence also they run better. Their swimming membranes are 

 shorter ; they swim less and do not dive. Many species make use of vege- 

 table food. There is no difference of plumage in the two sexes, a difference 

 generally so remarkable in the ducks. 



Cereopsis LATH. Bill short, high at the base, declivous towards 

 the tip, convex. Nostrils placed in the cere. 



Sp. Cereopsis Novce Hollandice LATH., Suppl. n. p. 325, PI. 138, TEMM. PL 

 color. 209, LESS. Ornith. PI. 109, fig. i. 



Anser BRISS. 



Sp. Anser cinereus MEYEB, Anas anser ferus L., LESS. Ornith. PI. 117, fig. 2, 

 NAUM. Taf. 285 ; bill yellowish- orange, black below, the wings extend to 

 the point of the tail. From this species the different races of tame geese 

 descend. Anas segetum GM., BUFF. PI. enl. 985, NAUM. Taf. 287; the 

 bill is black at the base and the tip orange in the middle ; the wings extend 

 as far as or beyond the point of the tail. Both species migrate here in the 

 cold season of the year. 



Chenalopex STEPH. 



Anser cegyptiacus, Anas cegyptiaca L., BUFF. PI. enl. 379, Menagerie du 

 Mus. d'Hist. not. 1804, 8vo, I. pp. 285 296; in Africa; according to 

 GEOFFB. ST.-HILAIBE the x^aXtiirT^ of the ancients, which was sacred 

 amongst the ^Egyptians on account of the love it shews for its young ; see 

 ^ELIAN. de Anim. Natura, Lib. v. 30, x. 16, xi. 38. Others refer this bird 

 to the Anas Tadorna L. ; see SCHNEIDEB in his edition of ABISTOTELES de 

 Anim. Hist. m. p. 61 1 ; F. JACOBS in his edition of J^LIANUS follows the 

 opinion of GEOFFBOY. 



Note. Add sub-genera: Bemicla STEPHENS, Nettapus BRANDT, 

 and some others, on which consult GRAY. 



Cygnus MEIJER. Bill with margins lamelloso-dentate, at the 

 base higher than broad, above at the base flat or depressed, not 

 VOL. ii. 25 



