FLOOR.] EASTERN" ZOOLOGICAL GALLERY. 
J 5 
Snipes of India. Case 131. The Jacanas, with their long toes, 
enabling them to walk with ease over the floating leaves of water 
plants ; the Screamers of South America, with spurs on their 
shoulders. Case 132. The Kails. Cases 133, 134. The Gallinules, 
which live on the borders of rivers and lakes, and are excellent 
swimmers. A pair of Coots {Fidica atra) with nest and a full com- 
plement of eggs, are exhibited in a separate case opposite to Wall 
Case 196. In a glazed case, one of the most notable, as it is the 
rarest, is the Notornis 7nantelli of New Zealand, now nearly extinct. 
Case 134. The Finfoots of South America and West Africa have 
curiously lobed feet, and dive like the Grebes. 
Cases 135-160. Tlie Web-footed Birds. Case 135. The Fla- 
mingos, the longest-legged birds of the group. Ancient epicures re- 
garded their tongues as a most luxurious dish. Cases 136-139. 
The Geese, such as the Spur-winged Geese, so named from the spurs 
with which the wings are armed ; the Geese feed chiefly on grass 
and other herbage. Cases 140, 141. The Swans, with their long and 
graceful neck ; the Black Swans of Australia, giving the names to one 
of the districts ; the Black-necked Swan of Chili, acclimatized in 
Europe. Cases 142-148. The Ducks : some of these, as the Sea 
Ducks, Cases 146-148, have a fin to the hind toe ; the spinous-tailed 
Ducks are found in the warmer parts of the world ; the pink-headed 
is a rare and curious species. Case 149. The Mergansers, natives of 
the arctic regions, feeding on fish. Cases 150, 151. The Divers, so 
named from their powers of diving, greatly owing to the backward 
position of their legs ; the Grebes have often curious tufts of feathers 
about their heads. Cases 151-154. The Auks, oceanic birds, found 
within the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, where they dive after fish 
and crustaceans on which they feed; they use their scaly wings as 
oars: the Great Auk {Alca impennis) now extinct. The skeleton 
of this bird on the adjoining Table Case w^as obtained from a guano- 
mound in a small island near Newfoundland. Case 154. The Sea 
Parrots and Guillemots, building on the ledges of precipices overhang- 
ing the sea. The Penguins, as the " Emperor," from the Antarctic 
Piegions, and the " King " from the Falkland Islands, both of which 
are noticeable as being the largest and most singular of the aquatic 
birds. Cases 155-159. The Petrels and Gulls, marine birds, feeding 
on fish and other marine creatures ; the Albatross has the greatest 
extent of wing of any bird, and the most w^onderful powers of sus- 
tained flight. The Stormy Petrels seem to run on the water, 
and often feed in the wake of ships. Case 160. The Terns or Sea 
Swallows, birds of great powers of wing ; the Skimmers have curious 
razor-like bills, the upper mandible being the shortest. Case 161. 
The Tropic Birds, so called from their presence being a sure sign to 
the sailor that he has passed the tropics. The Darters or Snake Birds 
have small heads and long necks ; they dart into rivers, and spear fish 
with their sharp bills. Cases 162-166. The Pelicans, Cormorants, 
and Frigate Birds, some of which have large pouches under their 
beaks, in which they hold the fish which they catch. 
