You are looking at the HTML representation of the XML format.
HTML is good for debugging, but is unsuitable for application use.
Specify the format parameter to change the output format.
To see the non HTML representation of the XML format, set format=xml.
See the complete documentation, or API help for more information. 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<api>
  <query-continue>
    <links plcontinue="1|14|Communications" />
  </query-continue>
  <query>
    <pages>
      <page pageid="1" ns="0" title="Main Page">
        <links>
          <pl ns="0" title="Account Page Layout" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Changes in DLS" />
          <pl ns="0" title="DSC Software EULA" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Firewall Friendly Connection" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Frequently Asked Questions" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Getting Started" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Installation Troubles" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Okta" />
          <pl ns="0" title="Searching Within an Account" />
          <pl ns="0" title="What&#039;s New in DLS IV" />
        </links>
      </page>
    </pages>
  </query>
</api>