296 On the Ornithology of Wilts. 



or stand motionless, fishing for prey. For such an amphibious 

 nature, and such dabbling- habits, how well fitted are their legs and 

 feet; the tarsus of extreme length; the tibia frequently bare of 

 feathers to a considerable distance above the tarsal joint; the toes 

 always divided, but very long, and usually slender, and of which 

 the third and fourth are frequently united by a membrane; all 

 present admirable facilities to these birds for indulging their wading 

 and fishing propensities ; for as the great length of leg suffers them 

 to walk in water of some depth, without wetting their plumage ; 

 so the wide spreading form of their foot enables them to stand and 

 run on soft and doubtful ground, without sinking in ; thus like the 

 stilts and flat boards on which the fenmen of Lincolnshire have 

 for ages been accustomed to traverse their swamps, so the long legs 

 and spreading feet of the waders are the instruments with which 

 nature has provided them for the same purpose. 



Widely different from the last described, but no less perfect, and 

 no less adapted to their peculiar requirements are the feet of the 

 "Natatores" or swimmers; these dwell in and on the water; at one 

 time on the surface, floating over the waves, at another far below, 

 diving for food or for safety; many species belonging to this order 

 are quite incapable of walking on land, and are no less unprovided 

 with wings of any avail in enabling them to fly; their only means 

 then of moving about are by swimming and diving, which they do to 

 perfection. All the divers and auks present a grotesque and clumsy 

 appearance on shore: even the ducks cut but a sorry figure as they 

 waddle over the grass ; but place them in their own element, let 

 them once reach the water, and their awkwardness becomes elegance, 

 their clumsiness is transformed into the greatest activity. To enable 

 them to move about on the water with such ease and such celerity, 

 they are supplied with legs and feet very much resembling the 

 paddles used in Indian canoes; their thighs are placed very far 

 back, in some instances almost at their tails; their legs are very 

 flat and extremely thin, like the blade of an oar ; their feet are broad 

 and large and completely webbed, the toes connected together with 

 membranes up to the nails; with these they strike the water with 

 considerable force, and thus their bodies are impelled forwards with 



