234 



NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



incline downward, as a support while they run up trees. Parrots, 

 like all other hooked- clawed birds, walk awkwardly, and make 

 use of their bill as a third foot, climbing and descending with 

 ridiculous caution. All the gallincz parade and walk gracefully, 

 and run nimbly ; but fly with difficulty, with an impetuous 

 whirring, and in a straight line. Magpies and jays flutter with 



THE RAVEN (Corvus Corcuc). 



powerless wings, and make no dispatch ; herons seem encum- 

 bered with too much sail for their light bodies, but these vast 

 hollow wings are necessary in carrying burdens, such as large 

 fishes and the like - } 1 pigeons, and particularly the sort called 

 smiters, have a way of clashing their wings the one against the 

 other over their backs with a loud snap ; another variety, called 

 tumblers, turn themselves over in the air. Some birds have 



