PALMIPED, Or WEB-FOOTED BIRDS Bill of various forms; legs short, placed more or less backwards, the anterior toes partially or wholly connected by webs, and, in some families, all the four toes united by one membrane, the hinder interiorly articulated to the tar sus, or, in some cases, wanting.
Most of the birds belonging to this numerous order dwell much in the water, and particularly in the sea. Their generally short and compressed toes easily cleave the water, and, by means of their webs, form, as it were, broad oars. Their plumage is thicker, closer, and better furnished with down, than that of other birds. In the div ing species, the wings are placed forward, to increase their motion under water, by the use of four oars instead of two ; and, were the wings and feet more approximated, as in land birds, their mutual action would rather impede than assist progression. Their swimming is merely walk ing on the water ; for one foot succeeds the other, as on land : but, when moving under water, the impulse of the wings is combined with that of the feet, as may be seen when ducks are hunted by dogs in a clear pond. The gland at the rump, from which is expressed an oily matter for the lubrification of the feathers, is most considerable in this division of birds, and contributes to render their plumage impermeable to water. Some of this order both
swim and dive, others only swim, or skim over the surface of the sea, but never plunge their heads under water, while a few arc almost habitually resident in the ocean, ascend ing to the surface only to breathe, and repairing to the shore only to breed. They subsist on fish and their fry, testaceous animals, and marine insects ; and a few, as geese, swans, and some species of ducks, arc also addict ed to a vegetable diet. They breed in holes, among rocks, or sometimes on the stony beach. Most of them moult twice a-year ; and the female, in some instances, changes her feathers later than the male. The young, during the first year, and, in some cases, during several years, differ much in appearance from the full grown birds, but, with the exception of the duck and the goosander, the distinc tion of sex is not conspicuous. For the most part they are polygamous and prolific ; and many of them sleep in the day-time, and feed at night. In many there is found an intermediate stomach ; and the anseres have a powerful gizzard. Their cry is generally harsh or mournful. The flesh of most of the species is eatable, and that of some is highly prized, while that of others savours of oil, or fish.