CHAPTER V 



The Ducks, Geese and Swans 

 ORDER— ANSERES 



^"^HE Ducks, Geese and Swans form a well- 

 defined order of birds, which appear to be 

 related on the one hand to the Totipalmate 

 birds and Storks, and on the other to the birds of prey. 



All are aquatic in their habits, short-legged and 

 web-footed, and all have very large, thick, fleshy 

 tongues. 



Unlike the Totipalmate birds and Storks, their nest- 

 lings leave the egg in a very forward state, so that they 

 can run and swim almost immediately after hatching. 



The Saw-billed or Fishing Ducks are remarkable 

 for the fact that the edges of the beak are armed with 

 sharp, conical, homy, tooth-like spines, admirably 

 adapted for the capture of the slippery fish on which 

 these birds live. 



Ducks are distinguished, as a rule, by elaborately 

 coloured plimiage. Some species are very brilliantly 

 marked, but many of them are principally black and 

 white, with spots and stripes arranged in various deli- 

 cate patterns over the body, giving a most charming 

 effect. 



All the members of this family are strong and rapid 



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