152 On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Natatore&\. 



event of the day. Somehow, however, all reached the bottom 

 without mishap, and first the old Manor House of Cadnam, the 

 original residence of one branch of the Hungerford family, demanded 

 a halt. Then Foxham Church, of primitive and unpretending 

 aspect, was not to be passed by unnoticed ; and finally, the little 

 Church of West Tytherton, from which the excursionists returned 

 direct to Chippenham ; and so concluded one of the most interesting 

 and enjoyable meetings that the Society has ever experienced. 



#11 tlje iraitljalosg of Milts. 



No. 15.— ORDER V.— NATATORES (Stcimmers). 



JS the fifth and last great Order of birds contains those only 

 which are thoroughly aquatic, and as b}'^ far the larger 

 portion of these belong to the ocean as their peculiar habitat ; it 

 is manifest that Wiltshire, as an inland county can scarcely lay 

 claim to an extensive acquaintance with this Order. And yet, 

 with such ease and celerity do they pass over the intervening land 

 which separates us from the coast, that the Ducks, Geese, and 

 Gulls, which enjoy a great power of wing, very frequently visit us, 

 often in considerable numbers; while even the heavy-flying short- 

 winged Divers, Grebes, and Cormorants appear at rare intervals as 

 occasional visitants, and thus all the families which compose the 

 Order of Swimmers are more or less represented in our county, and 

 have been met with from time to time in various localities. 



The characteristics of this Order are to be seen in the long boat- 

 shaped body, so admirably adapted for swimming, or rather sailing 

 on the water ; in the structure and position of the legs and feet, 

 placed so far behind as to cause an awkward gait on land, but so 

 well fitted to act as oars and paddles and rudders in propelling the 

 body over the surface of the water ; and in the close oily plumage 

 which is altogether impervious to wet. They are therefore for the 



