ORDER PALMIPEDES. GG5 



countries. But, previously to the vernal equinox, they 

 follow the march of the sun, to return to those icy shores 

 which are their native country. 



Of M. Cuvier's first section of the ducks proper, the Sco- 

 ters, (Macreuses, Fr.) the Black Scoter^ Anas Nigra, is 

 the type. These birds inhabit both continents, but the most 

 northern parts in preference, from which they descend on our 

 seas. They are winter visitants of our coasts, and more so of 

 those of France, brought by the north and north-west winds. 

 At such times the sea is almost covered with them. They 

 flutter from place to place, just shewing themselves on the 

 water, and disappearing at every instant. They feed on 

 shell-fish, but will also eat corn. They never fly but just 

 above the surface of the waters, where, in fact, they only 

 flutter ; but they are indefatigable and agile swimmers. 



In this section of Cuvier seem to be included certain species 

 with very short wings, which Lesson has separated, generally 

 under the name Micropterus, and of which Anas Brachyptera 

 is the type. We have engraved a figure from Major Smith's 

 collection of a brachypterous goose, from the South Seas, in 

 which, however, the tarsi are as remarkably short as the wings. 

 We have named it, provisionally, the Short-legged Goose. It 

 is uniformly very dark ash, or soot colour, undulated with a 

 deeper tint, and is as big as a goose. 



The Garrots (Clangula, Dr. Leach) can claim nothing 

 of our attention here ; but we must not pass over the cele- 

 brated Eider. 



The eiders have some analogy with the geese ; but more 

 with the ducks. They live on fish, or shell-fish, which they 

 either seize at the surface of the water, or dive in search of, 

 and this they do in the most agitated seas. Major Cart- 

 wright has estimated the rapidity of the flight of the eider, at 

 nineteen miles an hour. 



The eiders fix their habitual dwelling in the coldest coun- 



