with her legs doubled under her, and her head directed forwards, though reliable persons have asserted that the feet hung down, and Dampier (prior to 1683) alleged that the parent stood erect and covered the structure with her rump. Eggs are often dropped {108}promiscuously by the hen. The young run from the shell, and even when fully grown can be driven in flocks by intending captors. Of extinct forms the allied _Agnopterus_ occurs in the Upper Eocene of France and possibly of England; _Helornis_, with somewhat shorter bones, in the Lower Miocene of France and the transition beds of the two formations, as well as the Middle Miocene of Germany; and several species of _Phoenicopterus_, in the French Lower Miocene, the Pliocene of Oregon, and the Mare aux Songes in Mauritius. Lastly, there are five species of _Palaelodus_, constituting the family _Palaelodidae_,[104] in which the bill was probably straight, and the tibia and metatarsus were much shorter than in _Phoenicopterus_, but the toes longer. They are found in lacustrine deposits of the French Lower Miocene and the German Middle Miocene, while remains resembling them, to which the name _Scaniornis_ has been given, are met with in the Chalk of South Sweden.[105] ORDER VI. ANSERIFORMES. The Order Anseriformes consists of the Sub-Orders PALAMEDEAE and ANSERES, each containing a single Family, _Palamedeidae_ and _Anatidae_ respectively. Lying between the Ciconiiformes and the Falconiformes, the connexion of this group with the former is much the most easily recognised, as it shows decided affinities to the PHOENICOPTERI, while between the ANSERES and the Birds of Prey there occurs one of those gaps common to every linear system of classification. All the members agree in having the furcula U-shaped and the nostrils pervious. The large spiral penis is unique among the Carinatae, though comparable with that of the Ratitae. The down is uniformly distributed in both adults and nestlings, the aftershaft is rudimentary or absent, the tongue is thick and fleshy, and has bristly sides in the _Anatidae_; while the possession of two pairs of sterno-tracheal muscles is a marked point of distinction from other Carinate Birds. All the species are aquatic, and live almost entirely on vegetable matter. The young leave the nest within a few days, or even hours.