60 
ANATIDvE. 
We naturally enter upon the Fifth or Natatorial 
Order of Birds with the Anatidse, or Ducks and 
Geese, a large group whoso dwelling is among 
the waters, from which they derive their almost 
sole support, and around the margins of which they 
incubate and rear their young. The Ducks and 
Geese, and Swans, though aquatic in their habits, 
many of them exclusively so, conjoin a Grallatorial 
form, frequently breed at a distance from tho water 
(a few even perch and nestle in trees), wander 
far from it in quest of food, and seek for their 
support often in tho midst of cultivation. An 
exotic form, the Flamingos, considered to lead di- 
rectly from the waders, are in fact Grallatorial geese ; 
and though fitted with an apparatus of the bill 
similar to them, and taking their food in the same 
manner, they follow or pursue it like the waders, 
their lengthened legs and small feet unfitting them 
for frequency or expertness in swimming. In the 
true geese and swans, we have the species partly 
feeding on grain, living well in comparative ab- 
sence from water, and capable of easy domestica- 
tion ; the latter almost a certain indication of their 
being a representative of the Rasores. In the next 
sub-family, we have the facility for domestication 
