Order  VIIL  ANSERES  Linn* 
Til'  T 
IS  division  embraces  many  species  of  birds,  which  are  peculiar  for  having  their  Tarsi  usually  very 
> compressed,  and  placed  more  posteriorly  than  is  the  case  with  those  that  compose  the  other 
^ders ; the  Toes  are  connected  together  by  a membrane,  which  sometimes  extends  to  the  end  of 
toe ; the  hind  toe  is  sometimes  free,  though  more  or  less  webbed,  and  thus  their  feet  are  well 
^Pled  to  assist  them  in  their  progress  on  or  in  the  water. 
The  first  Family, 
ANATIDiE,  or  Ducks, 
the  Bill  generally  depressed,  broad,  and  always  laminated  on  the  sides ; the  lamination  being 
Promi; 
more 
iient  in  some  species  than  in  others. 
first  Subfamily, 
PHCENICOPTERINAl,  or  Flamingoes, 
la 
la  • large,  compressed,  suddenly  bent  downwards  in  the  middle,  and  the  lateral  margins 
Tarsi  very  long,  slender,  with  the  Tibia  also  lengthened  and  naked ; the  Toes  short,  the 
"^^terior 
ones  united  by  a membranous  web. 
Phcenicopterus  Lmn.f 
^ larger  than  the  head,  higher  than  broad  at  the  base,  with  the  culmen  flattened  and  suddenly  bent 
^ar  middle,  and  the  sides  narrowing  and  rather  obtuse  at  the  tip ; the  lower  mandible 
base,  and  widening  at  the  middle,  then  narrowing  to  the  tip ; the  lateral  margins  curved, 
nely  laminated ; the  nostrils  placed  in  a groove,  linear,  and  covered  by  a membrane.  Wings 
s]n  second  quills  nearly  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short.  Tarsi  very  long, 
cycler, 
^'^Postid. 
^'*'1  ahn, 
slightly  compressed,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  scales ; the  tibia  lengthened  and 
Toes  short,  the  anterior  ones  united  together  by  a membrane ; the  hind  toe  free,  very  short. 
cst  touching  the  <?round : the  claws  short. 
* ’I'he  Palmipeds  of  Latham,  and  the  Natutores  of  Illiger. 
t Established  by  Liiiniens  in  1 748. 
