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 sinking in the mire or floating vegetation. . . . The head is completely feathered; the general plumage is ordinarily of subdued and blended coloration, lacking much of the variegation commonly observed in Shore-birds; the sexes are usually alike, and the changes of plumage not great with age or season. The food is never probed for in the mud, but gathered from the surface of the ground and water." (Coues.)

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Long-legged, long-necked, long-billed birds, often beal-tifully crested in the breeding-season, and having broad, generous wings. They nest in trees in swampy places. Their voices are harsh, and they undergo great changes of plumage, and must be recognized by the novice more by general shape than detailed colour description. They may often be seen standing on one leg on the edge of ponds or swamps in the attitude of the Storks of Andersen's "Fairy Tales."

Stoutly-built birds of rivers and seashore, with varied and beautiful plumage of a type familiar to every one. "Body full, heavy, flattened beneath, neck of variable length, head large, eyes small. . .. Wings of moderate length (rarely very short), stiff, strong, pointed, conferring rapid, vigorous, whistling flight; a Wild Duck at full speed is said to make ninety miles an hour. . .. Legs short, knees buried in the general integument, toes palmate." (Coues.)