49 [fuligulinjE. 



SUB FAM. IV. FULIGULIN.E. 



Ext. Char. Rostrum ad basin altius-quam latum. Pedes magni, digitis posterioribus 

 lobatis, externis vix brevioribus iutermediis. Jiectrices Caudce plerumque breves et flexiles. Ala 

 mediocres. 



Anat. Char. Sternum carina parte anteriore vix producta ; postice non ad marginem 

 sterni continuata margine duabus fissuris instructs bis postice angustatis, intur magnis et ovalibus; 

 nonnunquam autem fissuree vice foraminibus multum latioribus postice quam antice. Costa longe 

 in abdomine tendentes processibus marginalibus arcuatis vel ad apicem bifidis. Processus 

 coracoides antice vix ultra humeros elongatus. Os furcation arcuatum prsecipua? ad extremus partes 

 rami. Pelvis latitudine mediocris, elongata. Cranium ad occiput altius-quam latum. Larynx 

 inferior partim ossea, partim membrinacea. 



Ext. Char. Sill higher than broad at the base. Feet large, posterior toe lobated, the 

 outer slightly shorter than the middle one. Tail feathers generally short and flexible. Wings 

 moderate. 



An AT. Char. Sternum with the keel slightly produced in front, and not continued to the 

 posterior margin ; posterior margin furnished with two fissures narrowed posteriorly, each inte- 

 riorly large, and oval ; or with two foramina on each side, much broader posteriorly than anteriorly. 

 Ribs extending far backwards, with the processes on the posterior margin arcuated or bifid at 

 the extremity. Coracoid process slightly elongated anteriorly. Os furcatum with the rami arched 

 in front, more so above. Pelvis of moderate width, long. Cranium at the occiput higher than 

 broad. 



Type. Fuligula. 



Habit. Aquatic and marine, feeding on small molusca, and occasionally small fish; some 

 of the species p >ssess considerable power of flight. 



Affinity. The sterna of some genera of this family, Clangula and Harelda, are furnished 

 with an ensiforra process as in the Mergansers. In the former the trachea also much resembles 

 that family. To the Anatinm, as we have before stated, we believe it to be connected through the 

 genu us and Carina. 



II 



