NATURAL HISTORY. 
41 
GALLERY. ] 
scalloped membrane along their sides ; others have the toes scarcely bor¬ 
dered ; they are seen on the rivers, lakes, &c., swim and dive with facility, 
or when danger is near, hide themselves amongst the reeds or in holes on 
the banks of rivers ; others stand on one foot, and employ the other to 
convey food to the beak; their food consists of insects, worms, and the 
larvae of dragon flies. The Finfoots ( Heliorninaz , Case 134) have a 
moderate straight bill, sides compressed, the tip curved and emarginated; 
their legs short and rounded, and the toes greatly bordered by a scal¬ 
loped membrane ; they are seen on the banks of rivers and creeks of 
Africa and South America, feeding on small fish and insects. 
The Web-footed or Aquatic Birds (Anseres, Linn., Cases 
135—156) have their feet placed on the hinder part of the body, with 
short compressed tarsi, and the toes united together by a web; their 
plumage is close, shining, and oily, and they live chiefly on fish, mol- 
lusca, and insects; they place their nests either on the ground or among 
the reeds in the neighbourhood of water, and their eggs are white in 
some, and of a short rounded form, while in others they are yellow or 
greenish and spotted, and in form more elongate. 
The family of Ducks ( Anatid^e, Cases 135—151) have the bill broad, 
depressed, and covered with a soft skin, and furnished on the edge with 
a series of plates, through which they filter the water and thus separate 
their food; their wings are short and moderate. The Flamingoes 
( Phcenicopterince , Case 135) have the bill short, with the upper man¬ 
dible suddenly bent downwards in the middle, and flat in front; the 
lower mandible is longitudinally bent into a semicylindrical canal; their 
neck and legs are very long and slender, and their toes palmated; they 
are seen on the banks of rivers and lakes; their food consists of small 
shell fish, insects, and spawn of fishes, which they seize by inverting the 
head to employ with advantage the crook of the upper mandible. The 
Spur-winged Geese ( Plectropterince , Case 136) have the bill large, 
compressed at the tip, and furnished with a large nail; their legs are 
lengthened, and the hind toe long and simple; they inhabit Australia, 
Africa, and Asia. The Geese ( Anserince , Cases 137—140) have the 
bill as long as the head, much elevated at its base, and the marginal 
lamellae apparent; their hind toe elevated and somewhat lobed; they 
are found in various parts of the world during their periodical 
flights; their food consists of grain and grass; during the summer 
they inhabit more especially the marshy districts. The Swans ( Cyg - 
nince, Cases 141—143) have the bill higher at the base than broad, 
and of equal breadth throughout; the lamellae are nearly hid when the 
bill is closed; their legs short, and the hind toe small and not lobed. 
Found throughout the world, and are remarkable for their graceful ap¬ 
pearance upon the water; their food consists of roots and other vegetable 
matter, the former of which they are enabled to reach in water of some 
depth by their great length of neck. The Ducks ( Anatince , Cases 144 
—148) have the hind toe elevated and very slightly margined by a 
membrane; their bill more or less lengthened, and the marginal la¬ 
mellae more or less apparent; these birds are inhabitants of various 
parts of the world, and are generally seen on lakes and rivers of the in¬ 
terior, but occasionally resort to the sea shore; their food consists of 
vegetables, grains, insects, and shell fish. The Sea Ducks ( Fuliyulince , 
Cases 148—150) have the hind toe short and furnished with a broad 
