N ATA TORES. 443 



the tropics. They are characterized by extraordinary length 

 of wing and feeble feet ; they are hence well formed for flight, 

 and disport in the air far out at sea; on land they are seen perch- 

 ing on rocks and trees. 



The COMMON TROPIC BIRD, P. athereus, is somewhat larger 

 than a partridge. The bill is red, with an angle under the 

 lower mandible, as in the Gulls. The eyes are surrounded with 

 black, which ends in a point towards the back of the head ; three 

 or four of the largest quill feathers, towards their ends, are black 

 tipped with white ; all the rest of the plumage is white, except 

 the back, which is variegated with curved lines of black ; the 

 legs and feet are of a vermilion red. These birds are seldom seen 

 but a few degrees north or south of either tropic. They glide 

 along, most frequently without any motion of the wing, but at 

 times, this smooth progression is interrupted by sudden jerks. 

 When they perceive a ship, they never fail to sail around it as 

 if to reconnoitre. They ordinarily return every evening to land 

 to roost in the midst of the rocks where they place their nests. 

 The long feathers of the tail are used by the inhabitants of the 

 South Sea Islands as ornaments of dress. 



What is the 2nd order of AQUATIC BIRDS? "What is said of their distri- 

 bution ? What of the Grebe's foot ? What is said of the feet of the other 

 SWIMMERS? What of their motion on land and in the water? What is 

 remarked of their plumage ? What peculiarity of these birds is noticed 

 by Cuvier? Have any of them very high powers of flight? What is said 

 of their flesh? What are their resorts? How many families does this or- 

 der include ? 



Give the leading characteristics of the 1st FAMILY. What is said of their 

 nests and young ? Upon what do they feed ? How does their beak aid 

 them in obtaining their food ? Are they assisted by any other organ ? 

 What birds form the connecting link between the SWIMMERS and WADERS ? 

 Do the TRUE DUCKS include many species? What is said of the Shoveler 

 or Spoon-bill? What sp. are referred to and what is said of each? What 

 SUB-FAMILY is mentioned ? How many genera does it include ? Where are 

 the Sea Ducks mostly found ? What is said of their migration ? Where 

 do they make their nests ? How do they cover their eggs ? Which gen. in- 

 cludes peculiarly Marine Ducks? For what is the Eidei D. remarkable? 

 What is peculiar in its beak? What does Dr. Kane say of its appearance, 

 &c. ? What facts show the great numbers of these birds at the north? 

 What is said of their nests ? How many kinds of down and how do they 

 differ? Illustrate the elasticity of the live down. Where are the King- 

 Ducks found ? What is said of their flesh and down? What is said of the 

 Surf D.? What sp. is mentioned? Why is it called the Velvet D. and 

 what is said of its down ? Where is it very numerous ? Where are the 

 breeding places of the Canvas-backs? When are they 'seen on the coast 

 of the U. S. ? What else is said of them ? What of the Spirit D. ? Of 

 ihe Long-tailed D. ? Mention the different sp. of GEESE. Which of these 



