110 Townsend, Position of Birds' Feet in Flight. [wll 



Pygopodes. As the Grebes are practically tail-less, their feet, 

 extended to the rear, are very noticeable, while the feet of the 

 Loon appear like a rudder behind their cutter-built bodies. In fact, 

 it is very probable that the feet in these birds are used, like a long 

 tail, as a rudder. 



In the Auk family some have the feet brilliantly colored, so that 

 they are noticeable, as is the case with the Puffin and Black Guille- 

 mot, where the feet are bright red. In the case of the Razor-billed 

 Auk the tail is so long that the feet are concealed from above, while 

 in the Murre, they extend slightly beyond the tail. Capt. G. E. 

 H. Barrett-Hamilton (3), speaking of the Auks, says: "Here again 

 the legs are still of considerable assistance to the flying bird, since 

 they may be separated so as to increase the width of the tail; they 

 may be placed both together at one side, or they may be allowed 

 to partially drop and catch the wind with an effect possibly some- 

 what like that of the string of a kite." 



Longipennes. Although I have observed the backward posi- 

 tion of the feet in numerous members of the Gull order, the most 

 satisfactory bird to watch, and one with which I have had many 

 opportunities, is the Herring Gull. These opportunities are 

 greatest where the birds are protected and fearless, as is the case in 

 the basin of the Charles River and in Boston Harbor. The legs 

 are habitually extended behind under the tail, the feet generally 

 close together but often apart. In quick turns, the feet are gener- 

 ally dropped pressed together, suggesting their use as a center- 

 board, for, as in a centerboard boat, quick turns with the board 

 up are impossible, — with it doAvn these turns become easy. 



Several observers, namely Barrett-Hamilton (3), Meade- Waldo 

 (15), and Anthony (1), mention the fact that Gulls of various spe- 

 cies occasionally fly with one or both legs drawn up in front, more 

 or less completely concealed in the feathers of the breast. Anthony 

 infers that they do this to keep the feet warm, but I have seen this 

 habit when the temperature was 40° Far., and Barrett-Hamilton (3) 

 has observed it in mid-summer. I have observed this habit in the 

 Glaucous and in the Great Black-backed Gull as well as in the 

 Herring Gull. A Herring Gull I was watching had both feet held 

 up in front, showing plainly against its white breast. While I was 

 looking it drew down one foot and extended it behind in the usual 

 manner, flying about in this way for several minutes. Another 



