THE ELAMINGO. 
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pterind), which contains the Spur-winged Goose of West- 
ern Africa^ the legs are much longer than in the other 
geese, ducks, and swans; and the shoulder of the wing is 
armed with two strong spines, from which the bird derives 
its name [Plectropterus), The Mergansers [MergincE) also 
belong to this family, and contain species which have a 
longer and more cylindrical beak than Jtjie others, and the 
sides of the beak are armed on each side with small pointed 
teeth, directed backwards, instead of lamellse ; in fact, these 
saw-like teeth are a mere modification of the plates which 
are so characteristic of the family. The birds of this very 
extensive family are widely distributed, and many of them, 
especially such as live chiefly on insects and vegetable sub- 
stances, furnish us with excellent food ; while several of them 
are of great use to mankind from the down and feathers 
with which they supply him. 
Flamingoes {VJimnicoptems) have very long legs, with the 
three front toes webbed ; the neck is of very great length 
and. terminates in a small head, which has a large and sin- 
gularly-bent bill ; the tongue is thick and fleshy ; dishes of 
them used in Eoman times to be served up at the feasts of 
gourmands ; the edges of the bill are furnished with fine 
laminae, as in the ducks, and serve the same purpose in 
