Attitudes of Loons and Grebes. 49 



specimens in it in normal postures, and the ones commonly 

 assumed by not only thi^s species, but all the true Pygopodes. 



If it be true that these birds do not hibitually assume the 

 erect attitude on solid ground, then it would be a nice pro- 

 blem to discover the exact reason why they can not, and the 

 Auks and Penguins can, and by nature do. Certain confor- 

 mations of particular parts of the skeleton, and the action 

 and arrangement of certain muscles and tendons, with all 

 bearing upon the question of the general adaptation to 

 sustain the proper equilibrium when erect, would be factors 

 to be considered here. 



Passing from drawings to descriptions, it is to be noted 

 that Audubon states that both Loons and Grebes have the 

 power of running, walking, and standing erect. A Great 

 Northern Diver, when wounded, rapidly made off by 

 running in nearly an upright attitude ; while the Horned 

 Grebe, when on the ground, '' is not better off than 

 the Dabchick, it being obliged to stand nearly erect, the 

 hind part of the body resting, and the tarsi and toes 

 extended laterally." He figures the male of this species 

 about in this attitude ; and I have mounted the same bird 

 so, although I have never seen them thus stand in nature. 



According to Professor Newton, " when young Grebes 

 are taken from the nest and placed on dry ground, it is 

 curious to observe the way in which they progress — using 

 the wings almost as fore-feet, and suggesting the notion 

 that they must be quadrupeds instead of birds " (Ibis, 1889, 

 p. 577). 



I have always noticed the old ones to behave in this 

 manner when placed upon the ground. The late Professor 

 J. W. P. Jenks, of Brown University, a very close observer 

 of the habits of birds for half a century, says of the Loon 

 that it is '^ unable to move on land, except by a constant 

 succession of awkward tumbles," or in the attitude that 

 Audubon has figured the male of the Eared Grebe in the 

 act of walking upon the land, or his female of the Horned 

 Grebe. The latter he represents in the ventropodal 

 posture, although in the descriptive text he says that this 



SER. VII. vol.. IV. E 



