156 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
ORDER III. 
ANSERES— WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 
The following are the characters by 
which the birds belonging to this Order 
are distinguished ; 
Bill, somewhat obtuse, covered with a 
skin, gibbous at the base ; mouth toothed. 
Tongue, fleshy. 
Feet, palmated, formed for swimming. 
This Order is divided by Gmelin in his 
Edition of the System of Nature into the 
following Genera.^ Viz f Genus 31, Anas, 
including the Swan, Goose, Duck, &c. 
Genus 32, Mergus, the Merganser. Genus 
33, Alca, the Auk. Genus 34, Aptenody- 
tes, the Penguin. Genus 35, Procellaria, 
* Those printed in Italics were never foun(} in the 
British Isles. 
