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Order ANSERES. WEB-rooTED Birds. 
The order Anseees^ so called from the Geese, which are 
highly characteristic members of it, contains all the web- 
footed birds : from the structure of their feet they are often 
called Palmipedes. The birds of this order are specially 
formed for swimming, while many of them are very expert 
divers, and most of the species are endowed with great 
power of wing. On land their gait is somewhat awkward, 
from the backward position of their legs, and their enclosed 
toes. With some isolated exceptions, their legs are short 
and compressed, and their toes are united together by a 
connecting membrane. The body in these birds is more or 
less depressed and boat- shaped, and the neck in many of the 
species is longer than the legs ; so that some of them can 
with ease search for food below the surface of the water, 
while the body continues to swim. The sternum is very 
long, the better to protect their viscera, while their bodies are 
covered by a thick and close plumage, which is highly 
polished, especially on the under parts ; and close to the skin 
there is a quantity of down, which protects them materially 
