PALMIPEDES. 
259 
The first known species {Rh. nigra, Lin.), is white, with a black calotte and mantle, a white streak over the eye, 
and the external tail-feathers white outside, bill and feet red. From the vicinity of the Antilles. There are four 
or five others. 
The third family, or that of the 
Totipalmati, 
Is characterized by the thumb being united with the other toes by one single membrane ; 
though, notwithstanding this conformation, which renders their feet perfect oars, they are 
almost the only Palmipedes which perch on trees. All of them hy well, and have 
short legs. Linnaeus arranged them in three genera, the first of which requires to be 
subdivided. 
The Pelicans {Pelicanm, Lin.) — 
Comprehend all those wherein some naked space is found at the base of the bill. Their nostrils are 
mere fissures, the aperture of which is scarcely [or not at all] perceptible. The skin of the throat is 
more or less extensible, and the tongue extremely small. Their attenuated gizzard forms, with then- 
other stomachs, a great sac, [which in several is furnished with an accessory pouch, analogous to that 
of the Crocodiles], and they have only middling or small cceca. [Their nostrils, which are always per- 
vious in the nestling, soon become entirely closed in 
the greater number of genera. The furcula is alw^ays 
anchylosed to the anterior portion of the sternal ridge. 
Their eggs are encased with a soft, absorbent, chalky 
substance, over the hard shell ; and the young are at 
first covered with long and flocculent blackish down, 
remaining very long in the nest, and generally much 
exceeding the parents in weight when they leave it. 
None of them appear to moult before the second 
autumn. The greater number have bright green 
irides.] 
The Pelicans, properly so called {Pelicanus, Illiger; 
Onocrotalus, Brisson), — 
Have the beak very remarkable for its inordinate 
length, its straight, very broad, and horizontally-flat- 
tened form, for the hook which terminates it, and finally for the lower mandible, the flexile rim of 
which supports a naked membrane, which is dilatable into a voluminous pouch. Two grooves extend 
throughout its length, in which the nostrils are concealed. The circumference of the eyes is naked, 
like the throat. The tail round. 
The common European Pelican (Pel. onocrotalus, Lin.).— As large as a Swan, and wholly white, slightly tinged 
with carneous, [and having the breast deep buff-colour in old specimens]. The hook of the bill cherry-red. It is 
more or less plentifully diffused over the eastern world, nidificates in the marshes, and subsists entirely on live 
fish. Is reported to convey provisions and water in its pouch. Two or three others have been distinguished. 
The Cormorants {Phalacrocorax, Briss. ; Carlo, Mey. ; Halieus, 111.) — 
Have the beak elongated, with the tip of the upper mandible hooked, and that of the other truncate. 
The tongue very small ; and the skin of the throat less dilatable. The nostrils are like a little 
line, which does not seem to be pervious. The middle claw has a serrated inner edge. [Tail stiff and 
cuneated. It may be added, that the feet are placed backwards, in adaptation to diving habits, but are 
still tolerably free, these birds employing both the wings and feet in subaquatic progression. Their 
voracity is proverbial : and their intelligence surpasses that of most other birds, as does likewise their 
docility : hence they were formerly trained in Europe for fishing, as Hawks are for fowling, and they 
are still so employed in the East. The species are exceedingly numerous, and some are found almost 
everywhere. 
Two are very common on the British coasts. 
The Bronzed Cormorant (Pel. carlo, Lin.).— Size of a Gooze, and bronzed black, with fourteen tail-feathers. 
Both sexes develope, towards the breeding season, various accessory ornamental feathers about the head and 
neck, at which time the naked skin becomes brightly coloured, and a tuft of white feathers grows upon each 
s 2 
Fig-. 129. — Sternum of Cormorant. 
