PALMIPEDES. 



259 



The first known species (Rh. ^lipra, Lin.), is white, with a black calotte and mantle, a white streak over the eye, 

 and the external tail-feathers white outside, bill and feet red. From the vicinity of the Antilles. There are four 

 or five others. 



The third family, or that of tlie 



TOTIPALMATI, 



Is characterized by the thumb being united with the other toes by one single membrane ; 

 though, notwithstanding this conformation, which renders their feet perfect oars, they are 

 almost the only Palmipedes which perch on trees. All of them Hy well, and have 

 short legs. Linnseus arranged them in three genera, the first of which requires to be 



subdivided. 



The Pelicans {Pelicanus, Lin.) — 

 Comprehend all those wherein some naked space is found at the base of the bill. Their nostrils are 

 mere fissures, the aperture of which is scarcely [or not at all] perceptible. The skin of the throat is 

 more or less extensible, and the tongue extremely small. Their attenuated gizzard forms, with their 

 other stomachs, a great sac, [which in several is furnished with an accessory pouch, analogous to that 

 of the Crocodiles], and they have only middling or small cceca. [Their nostrils, which are always per- 

 vious in the uestling, soon become entirely closed in 

 the greater number of genera. The furcida is always 

 anchylosed to the anterior portion of the sternal ridge. 

 Their eggs are encased with a soft, absorbent, chalky 

 substance, over the bard shell ; and the young are at 

 first covered with long and flocculent blackish down, 

 remaining very long in the nest, and generally much 

 exceeding the parents in weight when they leave it. 

 None of them appear to moult before the second 

 autumn. The greater number have bright green 

 irides.] 



The Pelicans, properly so called (Pelicanus, IlHger; 



Onocrotalus, Brisson), — 

 Have the beak very remarkable for its inordinate 

 length, its straight, very broad, and horizontally-flat- 

 tened form, for the hook which terminates it, and finally for the lower mandible, the flexile rim of 

 ■which supports a naked membrane, which is dilatable into a voluminous pouch. Two grooves extend 

 throughout its length, in which the nostrils are concealed. The circumference of the eyes is naked, 

 like the throat. The tail round. 



The common European Pelican (Pel. onocrotalus, Lin.).— As large as a Swan, and wholly white, slightly tinged 

 with carneous, [and having- the breast deep buft'-colour in old specimens]. Tlie hook of the bill cherry-red. It is 

 more or less plentifully diffused over the eastern world, nidificates in the marshes, and subsists entirely on live 

 fish. Is reported to convey provisions and water in its pouch. Two or three others have been distinguished. 



The Cormorants {Phalacrocorax, Briss. ; Carbo, Mey. ; Halieus, 111.) — 

 Have the beak elongated, with the tip of the upper mandible hooked, and that of the other truncate. 

 The tongue very small ; and the skin of the throat less dilatable. The nostrils are like ,<i little 

 line, which does not seem to be pervious. The middle claw has a serrated inner edge. [Tail stiff and 

 cuneated. It may be added, that the feet are placed backwards, in adaptation to diving habits, but are 

 still tolerably free, these birds employing both the wings and feet in subaquatic progression. Their 

 voracity is proverbial : and their intelligence surpasses that of most other birds, as does hkewise their 

 docility : hence they were formerly trained in Europe for fishing, as Hawks are for fowling, and they 

 are still so employed in the East. The species are exceedingly numerous, and some are found almost 

 everywhere. 



Two are very common on the British coasts. 



The Bronzed Cormorant (Pel. carbo, Lin.).— Size of a Gooze, and bronzed black, with fourteen tail-feathers. 

 Both se.xes develope, towards the breeding season, various accessory ornamental feathers about the head and 

 neck, at which time the naked skin becomes brightly coloured, and a tuft of white feathers grows upon each 



s 2 



Fig^. 129. — Sternum of Cnrmorant. 



