446 MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



Albatross sometimes measures as much as fifteen feet from 

 the tip of one wing to that of the other, and their flight is 

 powerful in proportion. 



Fam. 3. Totipalmatce, characterised by having the hinder 

 toe or hallux more or less directed inwards, and united to the 

 innermost of the anterior toes by a membrane (fig. 173, A). In 

 this family are the Pelicans, Cormorants, Gannets, Frigate- 

 birds, Darters, and others. 



The Pelicans (Pelicanidce) are large birds, which subsist on 

 fish, and are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New 

 World. They sometimes measure as much as from ten to fif- 

 teen feet between the tips of the wings, and most of the bones 

 are pneumatic, so that the skeleton is extremely light. The 

 lower mandible is composed of two flexible branches which 

 serve for the support of a large " gular " pouch, formed by the 

 loose unfeathered skin of the neck. The fish captured by the 

 bird are temporarily deposited in this pouch, and the parent 

 birds feed their young out of it. 



In the Cormorants (Phalacrocorax) there is no pouch be- 

 neath the lower mandible, but the skin of the throat is very 

 lax and distensible. They are widely distributed over the 

 world, one species being very abundant in many parts of 

 Europe. The Gannets (Sula) have a compressed bill, the mar- 

 gins of which are finely crenate or toothed. They occur 

 abundantly on many parts of the coasts of northern Europe, 

 one of the most noted of their stations being the Bass Rock at 

 the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Another species (Sula varie- 

 gatd] is of greater importance to man, as being one of the birds 

 from the accumulated droppings of which guano is derived. 

 The Frigate-birds (Tachypetes) are chiefly remarkable for their 

 extraordinary powers of flight, conditioned by their enormously 

 long and powerful wings and long forked tail. They occur on 

 the coasts of tropical America, and are often found at im- 

 mense distances from any land. 



The Darters (Plotus) are somewhat aberrant members of 

 this group, characterised by their elongated necks and long 

 pointed bills. They occur in America, Africa, and Australia, 

 and catch fish by suddenly darting upon them from above. 



Fam. 4. Lamellirostres. The last family of the Natatores 

 is that of the Lamellirostres, including the Ducks, Geese, 

 Swans, and Flamingos ; and characterised by the form of the 

 beak (figs. 167, 173), which is flattened in form and covered 

 with a soft skin. The edges of the bill are further furnished 

 with a series of transverse plates or lamellae, which form a kind 

 of fringe or " strainer," by means of which these birds sift the 



