Comparative Studies on the Behaviour of Anatinae is Konrad Lorenz's work on the study of the Anatinae family which is a subfamily of the family Anatidae (swans, geese and ducks). Lorenz studied instinctive behavior in animals, especially in greylag geese and jackdaws. Working with geese, he rediscovered the principle of imprinting (originally described by Douglas Spalding in the 19th century) in the behavior of nidifugous birds. In later life his interest shifted to the study of humans in society.