PALMIPEDES. 173 



are of a moderate length. They pass more of their time on fresh 

 waters than at sea. The great genus 



ANAS, Lin. 



Comprises those Palmipedes, the edges of whose large and broad bill are 

 furnished with a range of thin salient laminae, placed transversely, which 

 appear destined to allow the water to pass off when the bird has seized its 

 prey. They are divided into three subgenera, whose limits, however, are 

 not very precise. 



CTGNUS, Meyer. 



The bill of the Swans is of an equal breadth throughout, higher at base 

 than it is wide; the nostrils about the middle of its length; the neck is very 

 long. They are the largest birds of the genus, and feed chiefly on the seeds 

 and roots of aquatic plants. Their intestines and caeca in particular are con- 

 sequently very long. There is no inflation of the trachea. Two species 

 are found in Europe. 



Jlnas olor, Gm. (The Red-billed or Domestic Swan.) Beak red, edged 

 with black, surmounted at base by a rounded protuberance; the plumage 

 snow-white. When young, the beak is lead-coloured and the plumage grey. 

 This is the species, when domesticated, that forms the ornament of our ponds 

 and grounds. Its elegance of form, graceful movements and snow-white 

 plumage have rendered it the emblem of innocence and beauty. It feeds 

 both on fish and vegetables, flies extremely high and with great swiftness, 

 using its wings, which are a powerful weapon, in striking its enemies when 

 attacked. It breeds among the reeds in ponds, and lays six or eight eggs 

 of a greenish-grey. 



Jin. cygnus, Gm. (The Black-billed Swan.) Bill black with a yellow 

 base; the body white tinged with a yellowish grey when young, all grey. 



An. phitonia, Sh. (The Black Swan) has been lately discovered in New 

 Holland; it is the size of the common species, but its carriage is less grace- 

 ful and elegant; it is all black, the primary quills excepted, which are white, 

 and the bill with the naked skin on its base, which is red. 



AWSER, Briss. 



Geese have a moderate or short bill, narrower before than behind, and 

 higher than wide at base; their legs, being longer than those of the Ducks, 

 and placed nearer the centre of the body, increase their facility in walking. 

 Several of them feed on seeds and plants. There is no inflation at the root 

 of the trachea, nor is there any curve hi that organ in any of the species 

 known. 



GEESE, properly so called, 



Have a bill as long as their head; the ends of the lamellae extend to its 

 edges, appearing like pointed teeth. 



