209 



NATATORES. WATER BIRDS. 

 Swimmers. 



So variously organised that few generalisations can be made. The connections 

 ■of this order are not very apparent. Some imagine that it is related on one side 

 through the Geese with the Rasores, others through the Grebes with the Coots. 

 Again, the Frigate Birds show a decided tendency towards Raptores. 



Feet more or less fully webbed. Legs placed far back. Plumage thick, 

 ■close, with quantity of down. Hind toe small or wanting. 



Order GAVI^. 



Nearly related to the Limicolce. Front toes entirely connected by webs. Fifth 

 secondary wanting. Primaries eleven (terminal one minute and concealed). After- 

 shaft. Spinal feather tract. Eectrices twelve. Oil-gland tufted. Young hatched 

 ■covered with down, but fed by parents for some days. Eggs double-spotted. 



Bill without a cere 



Bill with horny cere 



Order GAVI.ffi. 



Gulls, Teens, Noddies, Skimmers, 

 and Skuas. 



Closely related to the Limicolce, and the resemblance is shown in nearly every 

 ■detail of their anatomy. The eggs of Gulls and Terns are double-spotted (like 

 those of Plovers). Schizognathous. Front toes entirely connected by webs. 

 Fifth secondary wanting. Primaries eleven (terminal one minute and concealed). 

 After-shaft. Spinal feather tract. Eectrices twelve. Oil-gland tufted. Young 

 "when hatched covered with down, able to run, but fed by parents for some days. 

 Eggs seldom exceeding three, spotted or scrolled with dark colours on white, bufif, 

 or olive ground. 



