256 NATATORES. 



into five subdivisions or Subfamilies* (or, as others may 

 chuse to call them, Genera), each displaying the same series 

 of affinities within itself that regulates the more extensive 

 divisions. The first of them is the subfamily Anserina, con- 

 taining all the species generally known under the name of 

 Geese (and answering to TEMMINCK'S section Les Oies), 

 amongst which I also include the genus Cereopsis of LA- 

 THAM. These, in their terrene habits, food, facility of walk- 

 ing, length of neck and of leg (as compared with the other 

 Anatidce), and bareness of the tibia above the tarsal joint (as 

 exemplified in Cereopsis ', &c.), shew a near approach to the 

 Rasores and Grallatores, and serve as a connecting medium 

 between them and the present order. To the Geese, the sub- 

 family Cygnina (Swans) seems naturally to succeed, nearly 

 allied to them in form and other characteristics, but more 

 aquatic in their habits ; with shorter legs, placed further 

 backwards and more out of the centre of gravity, being thus 

 endued with less activity upon land. In the form of the bill 

 they shew their connexion with the two next subfamilies ; 

 the first of which, Anatina, answers to TEMMINCK'S first sec- 

 tion of " Canards proprement aits" This'^appears to form 

 the typical group of the present family, for in it we find the 

 lamellated structure of the bill (belonging more or less to all 

 the AnatidcB), developed in the highest degree ; and habits 

 mediate between those that approach nearest to the Land 

 Birds, and those conducting to the more typical Natatores\. 



* This arrangement of the Anatidce differs slightly from that of Mr VI- 

 GORS, as developed in his " Sketches in Ornithology," published in the 

 third volume of the Zoological Journal ; in which he has made Cereopsis 

 (without, as I think, sufficient reason, or a due consideration of its struc- 

 ture and affinities) the type of a subfamily. He has also placed the Mergi 

 in the subfamily that contains the Ducks with a lobated hind toe, whereas 

 the peculiar characters of the former seem to entitle them to a distinct 

 station. 



f I refer my readers to an able article, entitled, " On those Birds which 

 exhibit the Typical Perfection of the Family of the Anatida" by Mr 

 SWAINSON (one of the most scientific ornithologists of the present day) 



