. The animal kingdom, arranged after its organization, forming a natural history of animals, and an introduction to comparative anatomy. Zoology. 252 AYES. greater number of them are also feeble flyers, and several are quite deprived of that faculty, in consequence of the shortness of their wings, they may be regarded as exclusively attached to the surface of the water: their plumage is particularly dense, and its surface frequently polished, presenting a silvery lustre. They swim under water by the aid of their wings, which are employed as fins. Their gizzard is tolerably muscular; the cceca
. The animal kingdom, arranged after its organization, forming a natural history of animals, and an introduction to comparative anatomy. Zoology. 252 AYES. greater number of them are also feeble flyers, and several are quite deprived of that faculty, in consequence of the shortness of their wings, they may be regarded as exclusively attached to the surface of the water: their plumage is particularly dense, and its surface frequently polished, presenting a silvery lustre. They swim under water by the aid of their wings, which are employed as fins. Their gizzard is tolerably muscular; the cceca of moderate length. They have only one special muscle ou each side of their lower larynx. Such are The Loons (Colymbug, Lin.),— Which are characterized by a smooth, straight, compressed, and pointed bill, with linear nostrils ; but require to be subdivided from characters derived from the feet [the entire skeleton, character of plumage, propagation, &c. &c] the Grebes (Podiceps, Latham; Colymbus, Brisson and Illiger),— Instead of ordinary webs between the toes, have the latter widened as in the Coots, and the anterior connected only at base by membranes, [which border the remainder]. The claw of the middle toe is flattened ; the tarsi exceedingly compressed. The semi-metallic [or satiny] lustre of their lower plumage has led to the occasional employment of it as fur. Their tibia, as also that of the Loons [in which it is much more pro- duced,] is prolonged forwards beyond the joint, to give a more efficient insertion to the extensors of the leg. [Sternum (lig. 123)* very short, and of peculiar conformation, approaching in some respects to that of the Cormorants; which these very singular birds also resemble in the character of their eggs, the hard shell of which is invested with an ab- sorbent chalky substance. They have no vestige of a tail. The young are clad in exquisitely soft down, which is striped black and white, as in the Emeu. The constant number of cervica
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1854
