774 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



into a cavity in the keel of the sternum. In many instances the 

 male has a large intromittent organ. 



They may be divided into the following families : — 



1st. — Phcenicopterida, Flamingoes, with uncommonly long legs 

 and long neck. 



2nd. — Cygnidoe, Swans, with lengthened neck but short legs. 



3rd. — Anseridce, Geese, &c. The legs generally placed more 

 forward than in the next family. 



A.th. — Anatidce, Ducks, with short legs placed far back. 



5th. — Mergidce, Mergansers, with the bill distinctly toothed 

 at the sides. 



Fam. PHCBNICOPTERIDiE. 



Neck and legs of enormous length ; bill suddenly bent down. 

 There is only one genus. 



Gen. Phcenicopterus, L. 



Bill high at the base, suddenly bent down, the margin lamellate 

 and dentate ; legs very long ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; 

 tarsus scutellate ; feet short ; wings moderate, 1st and 2nd quilis 

 sub-equal, longest ; neck very long. 



The Flamingoes have the fleshy tongue and anatomical structure 

 of the Ducks ; the bill is laminated to allow the superfluous water 

 to pass off, and they appear to feed on various minute animal and 

 vegetal ile substances which they find in the soft mud of the lakes 

 and salt-water lagoons they frequent, for scooping up which, their 

 peculiar bill appears well adapted ; when searching at the bottom, 

 their heads are bent forwards till the deflected portion of the 

 bill is horizontal. The diameter of the gullet in these huge birds 

 is very minute. 



The Flamingoes were long placed among the Grallatores, in 

 consequence of their very long legs, and are still so classed in 

 many foreign works on Ornithology. Swainson, I believe, was one 

 of the first who perceived their affinities to be with the Anserina, 

 and I cannot understand how any one can ignore the resemblance. 

 The bill is quite that of the Ducks, and its relations with this 

 family arc recognised by various races. The Calmucs and Russians 



