53 



DIVISION II. 



Rostrum subcompressum, aut fere cylindricum ; pedes tetradac- 



tyli ; alse breves; remiges et rectrices nullce. 

 Beak slightly compressed, or nearly cylindric ; legs four-toed ; 



•wings short ; no quills or tail-feathers. 



The extraordinary birds comprised in this section 

 of the family are totally incapable of flying, their 

 wings being completely destitute of quills, and ap- 

 pearing at first sight as if covered with scales : the 

 tail-feathers are also wanting: their legs are placed 

 very backward, and the birds when at rest are sup- 

 ported on the tarsi : their feet have four toes. They 

 are all natives of the antarctic regions ; and while 

 swimming they are almost immersed in the water, 

 the head alone appearing above the surface, rowing 

 themselves with their finny wings, as with oars : they 

 seldom quit the sea except for the purpose of nidifica- 

 tion : during the tedious process of incubation they 

 are compelled, it is said, to trail their full length on 

 their eggs, in consequence of their awkward struc- 

 ture. 



