XXvi INTRODUCTION. 
Family PLATALEID-E. 
PLATALEA, Linneus.—Bill long, and much flattened, dilated at the point and 
rounded in the form of a spoon ; upper mandible channelled and transversely 
grooved at the base. Nostrils on the upper surface of the beak, near 
together, oblong, open, bordered by a membrane. Forehead, lores, orbits 
and chin naked. Wings rather large ; the third quill nearly as long as the 
second, which is the longest. Legs long and robust ; three toes in front, 
united as far as the second articulation by a membrane, the marginal edge of 
which is deeply incised ; hind toe long (p. 393). 
Order ODONTOGLOSS/. 
Family PHCENICOPTERID&. 
Puce Nicorrerus, &résson.—Bill longer than the head, abruptly bent in the 
middle ; edges of both mandibles furnished with fine transverse plates 
(lamellze). Nostrils, linear, sub-basal. Neck very long and slender. Wings 
moderately long, the first quill slightly the longest ; the inner secondaries 
longer than, and folding over, the closed primaries. Tail short, even. Legs 
very long and slender ; the chief portion of the tibia bare ; tarsus broadly 
scutellated ; toes short, the three anterior ones palmated, with incised webs ; 
hind toe elevated, free, and small ; claws flattened and obtuse (p. 395). 
Order ANSERES. 
Family ANATIDA. 
ANSER, Brésson.—Bill nearly as long as the head, sub-conical, elevated at the 
basal portion, which is covered with a cere or skin; a conspicuous nail 
(unguis) at the tip ; under mandible smaller than the upper. Nostrils lateral, 
placed towards the middle of the beak. Wings large, the second quill 
longest. Tail of sixteen feathers. Tursus moderately long ; the hind toe 
free, without a lobe, articulated upon the tarsus; the three anterior toe 
united by a membrane. Sexes alike in plumage (p. 397). 
CueEn, Boze.—Bill shorter than the head, very robust, and higher than broad 
at the base; culmen slightly convex, the outline of the lower mandible 
decidedly so, leaving an elliptical space displaying the lamellz. Nostrils 
sub-basal. Feathers on the neck less conspicuously furrowed than in true 
anser. Wings long, full, the second quill the longest. Tail rather short 
and rounded. Tibia feathered to the joint; tarsus moderately long, reticu- 
lated ; three anterior toes connected by a membrane; hind toe short and 
elevated. Sexes alike in plumage (p. 405). 
BERNICLA, #o0ze.—Bill much shorter than the head, sub-conical, higher than 
broad at the base, narrowing to the tip; nail broadly ovate ; edges of the 
bill nearly straight, scarcely showing the margins of the lamellze. Nostrils 
oval, placed in the anterior portion of the nasal depression, near the centre 
of the bill, Feathers on the neck narrow, blended. Wings large, the second 
quill usually the longest. Tail short, rounded. Legs short and stout, the 
tarsus reticulated ; the three anterior toes long, united by a membrane ; hind 
