i 75 ) 
ORDER VI. 
Palmipedes^ 
Are strongly characterised by their feet formed for swimming, 
that is, set in the hinder part of their body (Fig. i), with very 
short and compressed tarsi, and palmated between the toes. 
Their close, glossy plumage, imbued with an oily juice and 
furnished with a thick down next the skin, protects them from the 
water on which they live. They are the only Birds in which the 
length of the neck exceeds (sometimes considerably) that of the 
feet (Fig. i), having frequently to fish in the depth whilst they 
swim on the surface of the water. Their sternum is very long, 
protects the greatest part of their viscera, and has but one notch 
on each side, or an oval hole furnished with membranes. Their 
gizzard is generally muscular, their coecums long, and the inferior 
larynx simple, with the exception of one Family, in which it is 
swelled into cartilaginous capsules. 
FAMILIES. 
Wings exceedingly Plumage very close, 
short; fly very ill, or and offering a smooth 
not at all. and shining surface ; 
swim under water, us- 
ing their wings as fins : 
a peculiar muscle on 
each side of the lower 
larynx : coecum mode- 
rate. 
Wings very long ; Only one muscle on 
flight extensive. Great each side of the infe- 
toe free or none. rior larynx : coecums 
Great toeunitedwith Feet short j perch 
the others in a single on trees, 
membrane. 
1. Brachypteres. 
Legs further back 
than any of the follow- 
ing, making their walk 
very painful, and oblig- 
ing them to preserve a 
vertical position. Fig. 
229. 
2. LONGIPENNES. 
Beak, without notch- 
es, crook'd at the end, 
or simply pointed. 
3. TOTIPALMES. 
