Position of the Feet of Birds during Flight. 481 



never had the good fortune to see a Bustard on the wing, 

 and the only Cranes I have seen at large were stalking about 

 the fields in Northern India. Wolf, however, is a trust- 

 worthy witness, and in his beautiful drawing of the Man- 

 tchurian Crane he represents it with the feet behind. Chionis 

 and the aberrant Chauna will probably be found to agree 

 with the Waders. 



The Rallidse are another doubtful family. It is difficult 

 to get a chance of seeing any one of them when fairly on 

 the wing, as on migration and when flushed the legs are 

 generally hanging down. I expect, however, they belong to 

 the backward-carriers, as their large feet would be much in 

 the way if carried in front. 



The large group of Passeres is the one in which I believe 

 the forward direction of the feet during flight will be found 

 most characteristic. The habit is plain enough in the larger 

 species, but it is not easy to observe it in the numerous 

 small ones. I must leave them for further observation. I 

 can add nothing definite about the very curious forms found 

 among the Picarise, or concerning the Striges or Accipitres. 

 Falconers should be able to tell us something about the 

 latter, and, notwithstanding the unexpected discovery that 

 the Kites carry their feet behind, I do not believe that rule 

 applies to the Falcons or some others of the order. 



The Columbidse, I have reason to believe, carry their feet in 

 front, and I once had a distinct view of the same habit in a 

 Ceylon Jungle-fowl, as it unexpectedly flew over my head 

 whilst I was loading my gun ; but I understand that the 

 Pheasant and the Capercaillie both rise with their feet in 

 front, and when well on the wing turn them backwards, so 

 this may be the case with the other Gallinse, and possibly 

 also with the Pigeons. 



The question naturally arises as to what determines the 

 position of the feet of birds during flight. It is not, how- 

 ever, one to which a very definite answer, which will suit all 

 cases, can be given ; but I will off'er some suggestions which 

 may, perhaps, be thought worthy of consideration. In the 

 case of web-footed birds we have a great diversity of forms, 



