77 
the sides, and by the compressed form of their body, 
as the Pratincole ( Glareolo ), Rail (JRallus), Corn Crake 
(Crex), Gallinule, or Water Hen ( Gallinula ), and the 
Coot ( Fulica ). 
The last order, or Natatorial Birds ( Natatores ), have 
short legs placed on the hinder part of the body, and 
the toes united by a web. It includes several families, 
as the Ducks ( Anatidce ), Cases No. 25—31, which 
have the edge of the jaws furnished with a series 
of plates, through which they filter the water, and 
thus separate their food, as the Goose ( Anser), the 
Swan ( Cygnus ), Shield Drake ( Tadorna ), Duck (Anas), 
Widgeon (Mareca), Eider Duck ( Somateria ), the Sco¬ 
ter ( Ordemia ), Pochard ( Fuligula ), Garrot ( Clangula ), 
Hareld ( Harelda ), Cases No. 32—34, and Merganser 
(Mergus). 
The family of Divers (Colymbidce), have the legs set 
very far back, the bills compressed, and the hind toes 
free; as the Grebes (Podiceps), which have a silky 
plumage, and the toes separated from each other by a 
deep notch. The Divers ( Colymbus ), with the toes 
entirely webbed. 
The family of Auks ( Alcidce ), Case No. 34, have, 
like the Divers, very short wings, and the leg far be¬ 
hind the centre of the body, which enables them to 
stand nearly erect, but they have only three toes, all 
united by a web, as the Guillemot ( Uria ), the Rotche 
( Mergidus ), Puffin (Fratercula), and the Auk (Alca). 
Case No. 35—38. 
The family of Pelicans ( Pelecanidce ), have, on the 
contrary, long and powerful wings, very short legs, 
and four toes, all united by a continuous web, as 
the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax), and the Gannet 
(Sula). 
The family of Gulls ( Laridce ), Cases No. 39—42, 
have equally long wings, but the hind toe is free, and 
sometimes very short and rudimentary, as the Terns 
(Sterna), the Gulls (Larus), the Skua ( Lestris ), and the 
Petrel ( Procellaria). 
ROOM XII- 
Nat. Hist. 
Cases 
