426 THE EMPIRE OF THE AIR. 



courage with both hands, as the sayiiij; is, and when the operation is 

 ended Ave may say that this is another stake p]ante<I. 



When the weight and surface are ascertained, we next measure the 

 spread of the wings (aLar dimension) and the mean width of wing, 

 whi(;h two hitter iodicate the proportions of the aerophme of the l)ird. 

 This relation is indicated in the tables by a simple proportional frac- 

 tion, 5:1 for example, whicli indicates that the width being 1, the total 

 spread is 5. 



In addition, I set down the amount of surface necessary to carry 1 

 gram, also the weight sustained per siiuare meter, and finally the 

 aggregate surface required to support 80 kilograms (176 pounds). This 

 weight of 80 kilograms corresponds to the weight of a man equipped 

 with a light aeroplane. The figures therefore indicate the total sur- 

 face required for an aeroplane of that particular type. 



In order not to present at random (alphabetically) the different kinds 

 of birds, they are groui)ed according to their mode of fiight. This 

 produces strange groui)ings; all ornitliological rules are boldly vio- 

 lated; the charadrius (plovers) are classed without hesitation with the 

 vanellus; even classing the accipiters (night birds) with the passerines 

 (sparrows, etc.), which is an infinitely more gi'ave departure. It will 

 thus be seen that similitude in fiight has alone been taken account of. 



The Rail type. — Under this head are comprised all the birds which, 

 in fiying, hold their bodies at an inclination of about 15 degrees, instead 

 of spreading them.selves out horizontally, a position invariably assumed 

 by the other birds. The marouettes (rails), the different rails, the water- 

 fowls, and the domestic fowls, here compose this branch of flyers. 



The turkeys, the guinea-hens, the canepetieres, and the peacocks do 

 not form part of this class, because they stretch themselves out hori- 

 zontally when in full flight. 



The above class of birds (rails), although they fiy but rarely are some- 

 times compelled to make long journeys; they probaldy then utilize 

 strong winds of good sustaining force. These great air currents have 

 indeed a power which human instinct does not reveal. 



During a strong sirocco, blowing at least 20 meters per second (15 

 miles per hour), I have compelled Kabyle poultry, which, to be snre, fiy 

 somewhat better tlian European fowls, to take extensive fiights, during 

 part of which they soared in a way surprising. The guinea-hens were 

 by this violent wind sustained in the air with an ease one would never 

 suspect in a gallinaceous fowl. 



Here, methinTis, the good housewife will ask, were many eggs laid on 

 that day? I confess that this did not disquiet me. I would have 

 sacrificed the whole barn-yard for such a beautiful demonstration; for 

 after all, when knowledge is sought, we must do all requisite things to 

 arrive at that knowledge, even to the sacking of the poultry yard, if 

 need be. 



My poor pigeons I what a time they had. They were adjusted in all 



