212 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



second division includes the Red-crested Duck, Pochard, Ferruginous 

 Duck, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and 

 Golden Eye ; while between the two divisions he places, as possessing 

 some of the characters of each, the Eider Duck, King Duck, Velvet 

 Duck, and Scoter. 



McGillivray accepts this arrangement, with some slight variations, 

 remarking that the differences as to habits, as well as structure, are 

 quite obvious ; and he gives us a graphic description of the three 

 types. "High in air," he says, "advancing on gently arched and 

 outspread wings, that winnow a passage for them over the far-spreading 

 sea, is seen advancing from the north a flock of large birds, that are 

 observed, as they draw nearer, to be arranged in lines ever undulating 

 and changing figure ; while their clear cries seem to express their 

 joy at having escaped the dangers of their long passage over the 

 waste of waters. Now they descend, mingle their ranks, wheel in 

 dislocated bands, unite, sweep along, and, clamorous in their joy, at 

 length alight on the open pasture. Having rested a while and plumed 

 themselves, they begin to move about in search of food, walking 

 sedately and with decurrent necks, stretching their strong bills to the 

 ground, from which they wrench the roots of the grasses and pluck 

 the herbage. Prudent, however- — as they well need be in an unex- 

 plored tract — and careful of their safety, they neither scatter about at 

 random nor leave themselves subject to surprise. Should a suspicious 

 object present itself, one of them presently erects himself and emits 

 a warning cry, on hearing which they all rise together, raise their 

 necks to their full stretch, and carefully inspect the ground. Should 

 the danger be imminent, they run a few paces forward, spread out 

 their large wings, ascend into the air, and betake themselves to 

 some distant place." These are of the first division, or Cribatores, 

 as Mr. McGillivray calls them — more useful to man than the other 

 aquatic birds, many of them not only affording him savoury food, 

 but feathers, quills, and down ; while some have become domesti- 

 cated, and rival the gallinaceous fowls in utility : these are the Ducks 

 and Geese of the poultry-yards and commons. 



These web-footed birds, the Lamellirostra of Cuvier, are distin- 

 guished from all others by their laminated bills, which are thick, and 

 have a covering of soft skin, they have also small teeth placed along 

 the edge. The tongue is fleshy, broad, and dentated on the edge. 

 They are aquatic, and principally inhabit the fresh-water lakes and 

 rivers. Their wings being short, and living chiefly on the water, they 

 are badly qualified for a sustained flight. Their food is mostly 

 vegetable. 



