ANATID^.J 6 



latter make an evident approach to the cormorants in particular ; nothing, however, is known of 

 their anatomy. The Mergiiue in their anatomy shew an affinity to the guillemots and the genera 

 allied to them, chiefly consisting in the great developement of the keel of the sternum, and in its 

 posterior edge being armed with an ensiform process. The pelvis also is much narrower and more 

 elongated than is the case among the rest of the Anatides. The elongated head to the tibia pos- 

 sessed by all true divers is also slightly apparent in the genus Mergus. 



We are aware by some authors that the Flamingo has been admitted among the anatidce, 

 chiefly on account of its slightly laminated bill and palmated feet, and some portions of its intestinal 

 anatomy resembling this family : we cannot, however, follow this arrangement for the following 



reasons. 



Characters for the larger divisions of birds are taken from the external organs necessary to 

 procure their food, especially those of progression. The divisions of each of these have been made, 

 on the other hand, chiefly from the different modifications of the bill.* Let us, for instance, take 

 the order grallatores : we have there divisions or families formed for feeding on fish, mollusca, 

 earth worms, and small insects: there is one general character of the skeleton through all. Not so 

 with the bill and organs of digestion, which are modified, the former to procure and the latter to 

 assimilate the different kinds of food necessary for the subsistence of the bird. 



The same rule we shall find hold throughout all the different orders of birds, namely, that 

 the skeleton and structure of the legs and feet will invariably furnish a sure guide to the Order ; 

 while, on the other hand, the bill and organs of digestion supply characters for further subdivision. 

 "What we have said above is by no means meant to imply that no modifications of the skele 

 ton exist in the different divisions of each order, for such is not by any means the case ; some 

 slight one always being to be found where there is a change of habit, — in other words, in the modes 

 in which the various kinds of food are obtained. 



The application of what we have said to the case in question is self-evident, that the fla- 

 mingoes, having the organs of progression and skeleton peculiar to grallatorial birds, consequently 

 must be placed in the order Grallatores, and that the bill and organs of digestion are fitted, the one 

 for procuring, and the other for assimilating its natural food, — minute animalculse obtained at the 

 edges of waters by wading and not by swimming. The webbed feet also possessed by this bird 

 peculiarly fit it for walking on the soft mud and sand, commonly found on shores ; their structure, 

 however, is not that of any modification among the anatidse, but essentially that of a crane, which 

 bird has them also slightly webbed. 



* Where such is not the case the orders and families are evidently unnatural. 



