AiNATINiE. 
riie  species  inhabit  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  performing  the  usual  migrations  from  the  south  towards  the 
breeding-places  in  the  more  northern  parts,  on  the  approach  of  summer.  They  are  usually  seen  on  the  muddy 
of  the  fresh-water  rivers,  sifting  the  mud  with  their  bills  for  their  food,  which  consists  of  insects,  the  seeds  of  reeds 
other  water  plants,  and  wild  oats.  They  fly  rapidly,  and,  when  tliey  alight,  drop  down  suddenly,  like  the  snip®  ^ 
woodcock,  among  the  reeds  or  on  the  mud.  Their  nests  are  formed  among  the  rank  herbage  on  the  sides  of  lakes  a 
pools. 
1.  P.  circia  (Linn.)  PI.  enl.  946.  — Anas  Querquedula  Linn.  ; 
A.  Balkul  Forsk. 
2.  F.  macuUrostris  (Licht,)  — Anas  fretensis  King,  Jard.  & 
Selby’s  111.  Orn.  n.  s.  pi.  29. ; A.  versicolor  VieAlL  Azara  No.  440. 
3.  P.  discors  (Linn.)  PI,  enl.  966.  403.,  Wils.  Araer.  Orn.  pi.  68. 
f.  4.  — Querquedula  americana  et  Q.  virginiana  Briss. 
j,.  .i;  AZ®''® 
4.  F.  ceeruleata  (Licht.)  — Anas  cyanoptera  yietu.  ^ 
No.  434. ; A.  Rafflesii  King,  Zool.  Journ.  Suppl.  pf  * 
Selby’s  111.  Orn.  n.  s.  pi.  23. 
5.  F,  Novob  Hispanice  {Gmei.') — Querquedula  mexicana 
Chaulelasmus.* 
Bill  the  length  of  the  head,  of  nearly  equal  breadth  throughout,  as  high  as  broad  at  the  base ; 
culmen  nearly  straight  and  depressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  armed  tvith  a narrow  hooked  nail ; ^ 
of  the  upper  mandible  very  prominent  near  the  middle,  slender,  and  widely  set ; the  nostrils  ^ 
near  the  base  and  culmen,  lateral,  and  oval.  Wings  lengthened  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quil^ 
as  long  as  the  second,  which  is  the  longest.  Tail  rather  short  and  wedge-shaped.  Tarsi  much  shor 
than  the  middle  toe.  Toes  united  by  a full  web,  and  the  hind  toe  very  small  and  slightly  lobed. 
This  form  is  distributed  in  various  parts  of  the  globe,  undertaking  the  usual  periodical  migrations  of  the  A'kC- 
They  frequent  the  lakes,  rivers,  and  marshes,  especially  those  overgrown  with  reeds  and  rushes,  rarely  resorting 
sea  coast.  Their  flight  is  performed  with  great  rapidity,  and  they  genei'ally  conceal  themselves,  when  distm  ® 
diving,  at  which  they  are  very  expert,  more  so  than  is  usual  with  the  birds  of  this  subfamily.  Seeds  of  . 
plants  and  insects  compose  their  food,  which  they  seek  for  during  the  day.  The  nest  is  placed  In  the  most  retir® 
of  the  marshes. 
1.  C.  streper a (hinn.')  PI.  enl.  958.  — Anas  platyrhynchos  iJayy  A.  Kekuscha  Gme/. ; Chauliodus  capensis 
Spatula  Boie.\ 
cb 
Bill  longer  than  the  head,  narrowed  ajt  the  base  ; the  culmen  straight,  depressed,  and  the  si  ® 
dilated  for  nearly  half  its  length  from  the  tip,  which  is  furnished  with  a small  hooked  nail ; the 
of  the  upper  mandible  very  slender  and  long,  especially  near  the  middle,  those  of  the  lower 
concealed  by  the  lateral  margins  of  the  upper,  but  also  very  slender  and  lengthened  ; the 
placed  near  the  base,  small,  and  oval.  Wings  lengthened  and  pointed,  with  the  first  two 
nearly  equal  length.  Tail  moderate  and  somewhat  pointed.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the  mi'i*^^ 
Toes  united  by  a full  web,  and  the  hind  toe  short  and  slightly  lobed. 
* The  original  name  of  this  genus  was  given  by  Mr.  Swainson  in  1831  {Journ.  Roy.  Inst.)  as  Chauliodus,  which,  having 
used  in  Zoology,  was  changed  by  me  to  the  above  in  1838,  and  by  Mr.  Eyton  in  the  same  year  to  Ktinorhynchus.  »mS  1 ' 
t M.  Boie  proposed  this  division  in  1822  {Isis,  p.  .664.),  and  in  1824  Mr.  Stephens  used  Rhynchaspis  (from  Leach’s 
1831  M.  Brehra  gave  the  name  of  Clypeuta,  and  in  the  same  year  Mr.  Swainson  considered  this  division  as  the  Anas  proper* 
M M 
