POSITIONS ASSUMED BY BIRDS IN FLIGHT. 355 



its nest, sweeping slightly upward until it found itself 

 almost opposite the place, and perhaps some five or six 

 yards distant from it. Then by a dexterous turn it threw 

 the plane of its greatest surface into a vertical position 

 and at right angles to the direction of its course, thus 

 offering the maximum amount of resistance possible. 

 The whole area of the wings, bodv, and tail is directly 



FIGURE. 5. — THE WINGS HAVE COME CRASHING DOWN 

 UPON THE ROCKS. 

 {Photographed by Bentley Beetham.) 



opposed and spread out to resist the bird's forward- 

 passage through the air, and it is interesting to note how 

 the tail has been extended to the utmost, fan-wise, so as 

 to increase as much as possible the effective area. It 

 will be noticed that the feet are thrust forward and the 



