5 r R D S. 419 



water on fmall fifhes, and various infects ; and, efpecially when young, are pretty good 

 eating- 



** Palmati. Having fhort legs. 

 The bill is is fmooth, covered with a membranous fkin, and increafes in fize towards 

 the point. — The feet are fitted for fwimming, having fhort legs, which are thin, or 

 comprefied laterally ; and the toes are all connected, to their ends, by an imerpofed 

 membrane. — Thefe birds, are moflly polygamous, one male afibciating with many fe- 

 males ; they build their nefts chiefly on the ground, and the mother feldom takes any 

 trouble in feeding the young, which are very foon able to provide for themfelves; they 

 live very much in the water, feeding on aquatic plants, fifhes, and other fubflances, and • 

 their flefh has. generally a rancid fifhy flavour. 



IV. PINNATIPEDES, or FIN-FOOTED BIRDS. 



The bill, body, and mode of lifej in the birds of this order, rel'emble thofe of the 

 Waders. — The thighs are likewife naked for the lower half, and the feet are fitted for 

 wading in marfhes, all the toes being divided ; but the toes are edged on each fide 

 with a membrane for their whole length. Thefe birds moflly live in pairs, while breed- 

 ing, and conftruct very large nefts of various leaves and grafs, in their marfhy haunts. 



V. GRILLE, or WADERS. 



The bill is fomewhat cylindrical*. — The thighs are half naked above the knees ; the 

 legs are longifh, and the feet are fitted for walking, or wading in miry places, having 

 all the toes diflinct., and deflitute of any interpofed membranes. — The body is thin and 

 comprefied at the fides, having a very thin fkin. — The birds of this order moflly build 

 thtir nefts on the ground, living fome in pairs, and others promifcuoufly.— They live 

 much among fens and marfhes, feeding on worms, and other animal productions of- 

 fuch places ; and in general they are reckoned delicate eating,, . 



VI. . G A L L I N IE, or POULTRY. 



The bill is convex, the upper mandible lying like an arch over the lower ; and "the 

 noftrils are arched over with a cartilaginous membrane.- — The. feet are of the kind 

 called Runners, curforii, and the toes are rough underneath. — The body is fat and 

 flefhy. — The birds of this order live moflly on the ground, fcraping the earth with 

 their feet, and feeding on grain and feeds, which are macerated in a crop before di- 

 geftion ; this operation is performed by means of a ftrong mufcular flomach called the 

 Gizzard; their flefh is univerfally fit for food. — They live moflly in polygamous, fami- - 

 lies of one male and many females, building their nefls with very little art on the 



G g g 2 ground* 



