ANSERES. 287 



ORDER VIII. ANSERES. 



( Web-footed Birds.) 



This, the last Order of Birds, is very extensive, 

 and widely distributed. As the waters, of which 

 these birds may, generally, be considered as the 

 inhabitants, possess in the different regions of the 

 globe much more in common than the land, we 

 might expect to find their tenants, to a consider- 

 able extent, manifesting a similar community. 

 Nor is this expectation found to be groundless, 

 for, not only are the genera represented by pecu- 

 liar species in all countries and upon all coasts, 

 but very many even of the species in this Order 

 are found to be truly cosmopolite, many of the 

 Ducks, the Terns, and the Petrels completely 

 circling the globe. 



With the trifling exception of the Grebes, 

 which have their feet formed somewhat like that 

 of the Coot, in the last family, the whole Order 

 before us is well marked by having the toes 

 united to each other by a membrane stretched 

 between them, whereby the foot acquires the form 

 of a powerful oar, and of which a familiar example 

 will occur to every reader, in the common Duck 

 or Groose. In addition to this, the feet are placed 

 far back on the body, especially in those species 

 most eminently aquatic, a structure which, while 

 it renders the gait of these birds awkward and 

 shuffling on land, gives to the backward stroke of 



