By the Rev. A. C, Smith. 



153 



most part neither active nor graceful on land, and their attempts 

 at walking result in a waddle or a shuffle, and some of them are 

 little less agile on the wing ; but in their own proper element the 

 most clumsy on shore will be nimble enough ; diving, swimming, 

 sailing, even in rough water, with the utmost buoyancy and ease, 

 and thoroughly at home, and even sleeping on the waves. 



ANATID2E (The Ducks). 



This very large family comprises not only the almost innumerable 

 species of Ducks proper, but also the Geese, the Swans, and the 

 Mergansers. They are all of one general uniform character, and 

 their structure as well as habits are too well known to require 

 comment. The distinguishing mark of this family, wherein its 

 several members partake in a greater or less degree, and wherein 

 they differ from the remaining families of the Order, centres in 

 the beak, which is of a broad, flattened form, of a softer consistence 

 than is seen in others, and covered with an epidermis or skin, 

 excepting at the tip, which is furnished with a horny nail. There 

 are other peculiarities regarding the beaks of these birds, suited to 

 the special requirements of the individual species : but in all the 

 family, the edges of the mandibles are provided with plates, rugo- 

 sities, or even hooks, more or less developed, which are serviceable 

 either in seizing and holding the slippery prey on which they feed, 

 or in separating and removing the mud which unavoidably accom- 

 panies its capture. For the same purpose their tongues are usually 

 very large, thick, fleshy, and extremely rough. 



" Grey-Lag Goose." (Anser ferns.) This is generally allowed 

 to be the origin of our domestic species, and was at one time 

 common enough in this county, but has now become extremely 

 rare, since the draining of our fens and marshes. Colonel Montagu 

 described it in his day, (at the beginning of the present century) as 

 <c frequently killed upon the Downs in the south of England, 

 feeding on green wheat," and he adds " we remember one being 

 shot in the wing by a farmer in the neighbourhood of the Wiltshire 

 Downs, was kept alive many years, but would never associate with 

 the tame ones." In more recent days the late Rev. George Marsh 



