ANATIN^E. TADORNA. 161 



moderate ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus 

 short, compressed, reticulated, with very small anterior 

 scutella ; hind toe very small, elevated, with a lobiform 

 membrane ; inner toe much shorter than the outer, which 

 is nearly equal to the third, all scutellate above ; inter- 

 digital membranes full ; claws small, compressed, little 

 arched, rather acute, that of the middle toe expanded 

 internally. Plumage dense, firm, elastic, soft, blended ; 

 feathers of the head and upper neck small, of the other 

 parts large ; scapulars large ; wings moderate, rather 

 narrow, pointed ; first and second quills longest ; inner 

 secondaries oblong ; tail moderate, nearly even, of more 

 than twelve feathers. 



The Anatinse feed on seeds, roots, mollusca, insects, 

 worms, and occasionally other substances. The males 

 are always larger, and usually differently coloured. Some 

 of the secondary quills are highly coloured, with silky or 

 metallic lustre, forming what is technically named the 

 speculum. Toward the end of summer, the males become 

 similar to the females in plumage, but in autumn resume 

 their proper colours. The nest is placed on the ground, 

 or in holes ; the eggs numerous, white, greenish, or of some 

 uniform light tint. The young, covered- with stiffish 

 down, presently betake themselves *to the water. Some 

 of these birds occur in all climates, frequenting marshy 

 places, lakes, and rivers. They procure a great part of 

 their food by thrusting the head under the water, but 

 they seldom dive. 



GENUS CXXIV. TADORNA. SHIELDUCK. 



The species of this genus bear a considerable resemblance 

 in form to those of the genus Anser. The body is large, 

 full, rather elongated, about the same height and breadth ; 

 the neck rather long and slender ; the head moderate, ob- 

 long, compressed, rounded above. Bill as long as the head, 

 higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed, consi- 



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