242 Townsend, Use of Wings and Feet by Diving Birds. [j^ 



at Ipswich. He took to the shallow water and dove where I could 

 plainly see him flying along under water using his wings. 



My observations of the Ruddy Duck lead me to think that 

 although its wings are often close to the sides at the beginning of 

 the dive, they are opened just as the bird goes under the surface. 

 The short but strong wing in this bird would suggest adaptation 

 for subaqueous flight. 



The curious Steamer Duck, Tachyeres cinereus, of the Straits of 

 Magellan, that in the adult state at least is unable to fly, but flops 

 along the water by the use of its wings, and dives awkwardly, 

 probably uses its wings under water. Darwin (2) says that he is 

 "nearly sure" that this bird uses the wings alternately. 1 



The group of River Ducks obtain their food by dipping their 

 heads and necks below the surface of the water, but occasionally 

 these birds dive. I have observed close at hand semi-domesticated 

 decoy Black Ducks sporting together, and diving awkwardly. 

 In this case both wings and feet were used. As regards the Mal- 

 lard, the following note kindly communicated to me by Mr. Win. 

 L. Finley in a letter dated January 4, 1909, is of considerable interest. 

 "While in the lake region of southern Oregon, on two different 

 occasions I saw a young Mallard duck swimming under water. 

 He looked to me exactly like a frog. He was not many days old. 

 He used his little wings as if they were two front feet, and he went 

 through the water like a streak." It is evident from the context 

 that the feet were used as well as the wings. Teal occasionally 

 dive, especially when wounded, but I have no observations to 

 record as to the method used. 2 



The Rail family show an interesting diversity in the manner of 

 diving. The American Coot, Fulica, with its large lobed feet has 

 evidently perfected the feet method, for with its feeble wings close 

 to its sides, it often leaps out of the water and describes an arc, the 

 bill entering the water as the feet leave it. At other times it dis- 

 appears without any leap, and all degrees between these two 

 extremes are to be found. Mr. Beebe writes me that Coots in 



1 The alternate action of the wings has already been referred to in the case of 

 Penguins. I have for some years been almost convinced that Chimney Swifts use 

 the wings alternately in flight. 



2 I recently watched a wounded Brant dive and swim under water. In this 

 case the wings were flapped slowly and the feet used rapidly. 



