SEMIPALMATED GOOSE, 221 



in all parts of its structure and colours^ to the tenui- 

 rostral type of the [class Avis ; for such do we consider 

 is the station it occupies in its own circle. It is the 

 most aberrant of all the geese, and consequently has the 

 toes but slightly webbed^, the legs are unusually long, ■ 

 and it seldom takes to the v;ater ; thus representing 

 the grallatorial waders. Like the pigeons, again, it has 

 the base of the bill excessively swollen, as if tumid ; 

 while its grey colour and spotted wing covers make it 

 almost a counterpart of some of the little ground doves 

 of America ; all these being representatives of one and 

 the same type — namely, the tenuirostral. 



The Se3iipalmated Goose. 



Dendrocygna semipalmata, Sw. 



Head, neck, wings, and middle of the back deep brown ; 

 the rest of the plumage white : bill brown : legs 

 red. 



Anas semipalmata, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp. Ixix. Semipalmated 

 Goose, Gen. Syn. ii. 347. pi. 139. Gen. Hist. x. 295. pi. 

 178. (a repetition of the former plate). ' 



Whether this is a goose, or a duck, is altogether un- 

 certain ; but its singular conformation, no less than its 

 being an inhabitant of rivers, renders it a most desir- 

 able acquisition to our living collections of this family. 

 We therefore here introduce it, for the purpose of 

 calling the attention of our settlers in New South Wales 

 to the interest which attaches to the species. Dr. La- 

 tham, hitherto its only describer, gives the following 

 imperfect account : — 



" This is nearly the size of the wild goose. Bill 

 brown ; the cere at the base passing on each side to the 

 eye : irides bluish : head, neck, and thighs brownish 

 black ; round the lower part of the neck white, ex- 

 tending to the beginning of the back, and all beneath : 

 the rump is also white : the rest of the back, and 

 wings, deep brown ; quills and tail darker, approaching 



