HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



183 



view ere the shot can reach the now deserted seat. 

 The predilection of the bird for red colour, however, 

 is the snare which frequently proves fatal. It is re- 

 corded, that this merganser exhibits a weakness for 

 the fascinations of this colour, and that the Swedish 

 hunters, aware of this fact, frequently take advantage 

 of it, and by wearing red clothes become enabled to 

 approach much nearer, so as to direct their fire with 

 more sure and deadly effect. 



The wings of the red-breasted merganser are only 

 of moderate length (not extending to the tail), — and 

 of moderate breadth. The body, like that of the 

 divers (Colymbidse), [is comparatively heavy, weigh- 

 ing in an ordinary specimen about two pounds. Yet, 

 notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstance, the 

 flight of the bird is undoubtedly strong, swift, and 

 remarkably well sustained. 



Now if we compare these facts with those furnished 

 by an inspection of the flying apparatus, of, say 

 the great black-backed gull {Lams marinus), we 

 shall perhaps be able to glean some grains of 

 ornithological truth. Have you ever observed the 

 mighty sweep of this gull's wings? They measure 

 five feet across, and the weight of the bird itself is, on 

 the average, only about three or four pounds. Now, 

 if we compare these various weights and measures 

 with those of the body and wings of the red-breasted 

 merganser, the important truth may flash upon us, 

 that the greater the weight of a bird, the less pro- 

 portionally is the spread of the wing necessary to 

 sustain its body in the air. In the consideration of 

 the flying capabilities of a bird, let us never forget 

 the fact, that, in heavy birds, the motion of the wings 

 in the act of flying is comparatively slow, while in 

 light birds, it is comparatively swift. The former 

 circumstance is illustrated in the dilatory, lazy-paced, 

 ungainly flying of the crane, the heron, &c, the 

 latter in the marvellous agility of wing displayed by 

 the sylph-like petrels, skuas, terns, &c. It seems, 

 too, to be an indisputable fact, that the larger and 

 weightier birds, when once fairly launched into the 

 air, can sustain and propel themselves with a much 

 less expenditure of animal energy than that required 

 from the smaller and less ponderous among the 

 feathered tribes. Those naturalists who have mar- 

 velled at the apparently excessive muscular exertion 

 involved in the flight of birds, have, when the facts 

 have been more thoroughly examined and elucidated, 

 become sensible that the strength of these aerial 

 creatures is not so grievously taxed as they formerly 

 supposed. 



The red-breasted merganser, ever beautiful and 

 accomplished, and not exhibiting any very marked 

 or reprehensible meddling, domineering, piratical or 

 other objectionable proclivities, may be fairly ranged 

 as regards "social position" on the same level with 

 the "aristocratic " divers. Inspect and feel the soft, 

 close, blended, velvety plumage of this latter group 

 of sea birds, and compare it with the hair of the 



thorough-bred horse, or even (if such be allowed/ 

 with the locks of the well-bred gentleman, and then 

 declare if, as respects this important constituent of 

 their external aspect, they are not entitled "to 

 flourish in any society." To speculate upon the 

 social position or upon the respectable appearauce of 

 birds, may appear ridiculous ; but my observations- 

 and studies in Natural History have been wholly 

 valueless, if roughness or smoothness, coarseness or 

 refinement in the external integuments, in the hair, 

 nails and other appendages of animals, does not stand 

 as a sign and index, a mark and register of something 

 more recondite and fundamental, of something in- 

 timately connected with the most elementary organic 

 structures, and with the ultimate fountains of animal 

 energy. 



Every movement of these mergansers is pre- 

 eminently graceful. The stream of their animal 

 energy flows easily and readily, and through as it 

 were a smooth and well-worn channel. The bone- 

 joints seem perpetually well-oiled and competent, 

 and the muscular apparatus is thoroughly sound and 

 destitute of deteriorating fatty admixture. The 

 instruments of bodily movement being thuswise con- 

 structed of sound and unexceptionable materials, and 

 being admirably adapted to the end for which they 

 were proposed, the utmost ease and harmony of 

 movement may be expected. To endeavour to 

 furnish an explanation of the admirable quality of 

 gracefulness exhibited by animals, would be a 

 supremely interesting undertaking ; but it is one from 

 which the restricted limits of our space warn us to 

 desist. We have no doubt, however, that this 

 quality depends entirely upon (1) hereditary endow- 

 ment, and (2) the manner in which, during youth and 

 early life, the various bodily movements have been 

 conducted, and the consequent change and modelling 

 as it were of the organism in accordance therewith. 



The hand of Nature has been employed so assidu- 

 ously in the lavish decoration of the sea-birds under 

 review, now touching with red and green, now patch- 

 ing and interlaying with yellow, white and black, 

 now dropping spots of black and grey, and shreds 

 of scarlet, and polishing all into soft and uniform 

 lustre, that fain would we be excused from recount- 

 ing the specific delineation thereof. We must rest 

 content, therefore, with a notice of the more con- 

 spicuous and important peculiarities of colouring, &c, 

 as exhibited by the male bird during the breeding 

 season. We know not how it comes to pass that 

 among many tribes of the lower animals, the male is 

 much handsomer, more attractive in appearance, 

 more gaudily attired, than the female. Perhaps the 

 lady in this case is more coy, or more fastidious in 

 the selection of a mate ; or mayhap the superior 

 attraction of the males of her own species may 

 counteract any inclination on her part to extend 

 favours to individuals not holding precisely the same 

 position as to organisation, &c, in the animal world. 



