Footless Birds 131 



being so placed as to render it difficult to use them in 

 walking. When one under observation quitted the 

 water it shoved its body along upon the ground like a 

 seal, by jerks, rubbing the breast against the ground, and 

 returned again to the water in a similar manner. 



The Coot (Fulica atra), like the divers, has an aversion 

 to take wing, and can seldom be sprung in its retreat at 

 low water ; yet, though it walks rather awkwardly, it con- 

 trives to skulk through the grass and reeds with consider- 

 able quickness, the compressed form of its body being 

 peculiarly fitted for this purpose, and its progress has 

 often been remarked by the top of the herbage on the edge 

 of a lake moving as if it had been swept by a narrow 

 current of wind. The same preference to run rather than 

 take wing may also be remarked in the Rails (Ralledce), 

 some of which are land-birds and amongst these may be 

 mentioned the Landrail or Corncrake (Ortygometra crex), 

 a bird that has been said never to take the water, and 

 keeps regularly upon the ground taking flight but rarely, 

 and never except when compelled thereto. 



