Order  VIII.  ANSERES. 
The  sixth  Family, 
PELECANID^,  or  Pelicans, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long,  broad  at  the  base,  straight  and  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is 
sometimes  hooked  ; the  Nostrils  linear,  and  sometimes  scarcely  visible ; the  Wings  long,  and  the  first 
quill  the  longest;  the  Tarsi  short  and  robust;  the  Toes  long,  and  all  four  are  connected  together 
by  broad  membrane ; the  Face  and  Throat  more  or  less  naked,  the  latter  sometimes  furnished  with 
a naked  dilating  skin  or  pouch  from  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
PHAETONINA^,  or  Thopic-Birds, 
have  the  Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  and  broad  at  the  base ; with  the  culmen  elevated,  keeled,  curved,  and 
the  sides  much  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  acute;  the  gonys  long  and  ascending;  the  Nostrils  basal, 
linear,  and  exposed ; the  Wings  long  and  pointed  ; the  Tail  moderate,  graduated,  with  the  two  middle 
feathers  prolonged  and  linear ; the  Tarsi  short ; the  Toes  long,  and  all  united  by  a membrane. 
Phaeton  Linn* 
Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  broad  and  dilated  at  the  base ; with  the  culmen  elevated,  curved,  and 
the  sides  much  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  entire  and  acute ; the  lateral  margins  more  or  less 
serrated ; the  nostrils  basal  and  lateral,  with  the  opening  linear,  partly  closed  by  a membrane,  and 
exposed.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail  moderate  and  graduated,  with 
the  two  middle  feathers  lengthened  and  linear.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  strong,  and  covered 
^'ith  small  scales.  Toes  long ; the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  and  the  three  anterior  ones  and  the 
hind  toe  all  united  together  by  a broad  membrane ; the  claws  small,  compressed,  and  acute. 
The  species  are  most  generally  found  in  the  Tropical  Seas,  and  are  usually  observed  at  a great  distance  from  land, 
®hininilng  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  at  the  same  time  seizing  the  fish  and  marine  animals  which  fioat  near  the  surface, 
lit  especially  the  flying-fish,  as  it  bounds  out  of  the  sea.  They  rest  on  trees,  on  rocks,  and  on  the  water,  in  which  element 
^hey  are  excellent  swimmers.  The  nest  is  built  in  hollow  trees  or  on  rocks.  The  eggs  are  generally  two  in  number. 
Established  by  Linnosus  in  175().  Lepturus  of  Moehring  (1752)  and  Tropicophilus  of  Leach  are  synonymous. 
