76 



AVE S. 



like scales ; when standing they rest upon the tarsus, which 

 is widened like the sole of the foot in some quadrupeds. 



FAMILY II. LONGIPENNES. 



Thumb small or none ; wings very long ; beak not indented, 

 but crooked at the end in the first genera, and merely pointed 

 in the others. 



Genus Procellaria, Lin. Petrel. 



Beak curved at the end, which appears to be formed of a 

 piece articulated to the rest ; nostrils united in a tube upon 

 the back of the upper mandible ; a sharp nail instead of 

 thumb. 



Genus Diomedea, Lin. Albatross. 



Beak large, strong, trenchant, and terminated by a thick 

 crook, which appears to be articulated there ; nostrils resem- 

 bling short rolls placed upon the beak ; feet without thumbs 

 or even small nails. ; wings very long and narrow. These 

 are the largest sea-birds. [Southern Ocean.] 



Genus Larus, Lin. Gull. 



Beak compressed, elongated, pointed ; upper mandible 

 curved at the extremity, the inferior angular and inflated^ 

 nostrils long, narrow and open for one half the length of the 

 beak ; tail composed of equal feathers ; legs tolerably long ; 

 thumbs short ; the larger species are, called Goélands, the 

 lesser Mouettes. 



Genus Sterna. Sea-Swallow. 



Wings excessively long and pointed ; tail forked ; beak 

 pointed, compressed, straight, without curve or projection ; 

 the nostrils situated near the base ; toes to the number of 

 four, one behind long enough to reach the earth, three before 

 united by emarginated membranes, causing them to swim 

 badly. 



FAMILY III. TOTIPALMATiE. 



Thumb united to the toes by one single membrane, which 

 renders their feet complete oars when extended ; feet short ; 

 they are the only Palmipedes who perch upon trees. 



