

69 [erismaturin.e. 



SUB PAM. V. ERISMATURINjE. 



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

 lobatis, externis et intermediis inter se aequalibus. Rectrices Cauda longfe et validae. Ahc 

 breves. 



Anat. Char. Ignoti. 



Ext. Char. Bill higher than broad. Feet large, posterior toe lobated, the outer toe equal 

 o the middle. Tail feathers long and stiff. 



Anat. Char. Unknown. 



Type. Erismatura. 



Habit. Like the last, truly aquatic. 



Affinity. The shortness of the wing deprives these birds of any great power of flight, 

 consequently the species have not a wide geographical range. We are not aware that the use 

 of the stiff tail feathers found on birds of this family and the cormorants has ever been ascertained, 

 and which character appears to separate them so distinctly from the other families of ducks : they 

 are certainly of great use to them when on shore and stationary, their position being necessarily 

 upright, the legs being placed far backwards. We should also suppose them to be connected with 

 their motion in the water while diving, perhaps giving them the power of raising or lowering 

 themselves suddenly. If it should be eventually ascertained that fish constitute any considerable 

 portion of their food, this power must be of great use to them, as well as to the cormorants, in 

 following their prey through the water. 





