168 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



in all climates, on waters great and small. Having before us 

 such a host of swimming birds that six Orders are necessary 

 to classify them, it is difficult to select only a few examples, 

 and resolutely exclude all others. However, the student who 

 becomes permanently acquainted with about thirty -five web- 

 footed birds specially chosen to represent these Orders, will 

 have a very good foundation on which to build higher, with 

 the aid of special books and specimens. 



As heretofore, we will take up the selected examples in the 

 order in which it is easiest for the student to receive them the 

 highest types first rather than in the very curious sequence 

 adopted by the A. O. U., and most technical writers on birds. 



Once a year the grand army of birds of the Order Anse- 

 res take wing, and sweep northward from the tropics and 

 subtropics. Many halt in the temperate zone, where food 

 is abundant, but many more press on to the arctic circle, and 

 far beyond it. Wherever they pause for the summer, they 

 nest and rear their young; and many pages might be filled with 

 descriptions of the different kinds of nesting-sites and nests. 



One would naturally suppose that in any civilized coun- 

 try birds in flight to their breeding grounds, or in occupancy 

 of them, would be immune from the attacks of gunners. 

 The need for absolute protection for birds while they are 

 breeding, or about to breed, is so imperative that it is difficult 

 to see how any sensible and honest person can oppose the 

 enforcement of laws to provide it. The killing of wild fowl 

 in spring, or at any time during their breeding season, should 

 everywhere be made a penal offence. 



During the autumn migration southward, the flocks run a 



