248 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
average, about four pounds avoirdupois ; and his legs and thighs 
measure usually about twenty inches. But four pounds are fifteen 
times and a fraction more than four ounces, and one quarter ; and 
if four ounces and a quarter have eight inches of legs, four pounds 
must have one hundred and twenty inches and a fraction of legs ; 
viz., somewhat more than ten feet; such a monstrous proportion as 
the world never saw! If you should try the experiment in still 
larger birds the disparity would still increase. It must be matter 
of great curiosity to see the stilt plover move ; to observe how it 
can wield such a length of lever with such feeble muscles as the 
LONG-LEGGED PLOVER. 
thighs seem to be furnished with. At best one should expect it to 
be but a bad walker: but what adds to the wonder is, that it has no 
back toe. Now without that steady prop to support its steps, it 
must be liable, in speculation, to perpetual vacillations, and seldom 
able to preserve the true centre of gravity. 
The old name of Azmantopus is taken from Pliny; and, by an 
awkward metaphor, implies that the legs are as slender and pliant 
as if cut out of a thong of leather. Neither Willughby nor Ray, in 
all their curious researches, either at home or abroad, ever saw 
this bird. Mr. Pennant never met with it in all Great Britain, but 
