396 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



Every part and proportion of this bird is so incomparably 

 adapted to its mode of life, that in no instance do we see the 

 wisdom of God in the creation to more advantage. The head is 

 sharp and smaller than the part of the neck adjoining, in order 

 that it may pierce the water ; the wings are placed forward, and 

 out of the centre of gravity, for a purpose which shall be noticed 

 hereafter; the thighs quite at the podex, in order to facilitate 

 diving ; and the legs are quite flat, and as sharp backwards almost 

 as the edge of a knife, that in striking they may easily cut the 

 water ; while the feet are palmated, and broad for swimming, yet 

 so folded up when advanced forward to take a fresh stroke, as to 

 be full as narrow as the shank. The two exterior toes of the feet 

 are longest ; the nails flat and broad, resembling the human, 

 which give strength, and increase the power of swimming. The 

 foot, when expanded, is not at right angles to the leg or body of 

 the bird : but the exterior part inclining towards the head, forms 

 an acute angle with the body; the intention being not to give 

 motion in the line of the legs themselves, but by the combined 

 impulse of both in an intermediate line, the line of the body. 



Most people know, that have observed at all, that the swimming 

 of birds is nothing more than a walking in the water, where one 

 foot succeeds the other as on the land ; yet no one, as far I am 

 aware, has remarked that diving fowls, while under water, impel 

 and row themselves forward by a motion of their wings, as well 

 as by the impulse of their feet : but such is really the case, as 

 any person may easily be convinced, who will observe ducks when 

 hunted by dogs in a clear pond. Nor do I know that any one 

 has given a reason why the wings of diving fowls are placed so 

 forward : doubtless, not for the purpose of promoting their speed 

 in flying, since that position certainly impedes it ; but probably 

 for the increase of their motion under water, by the use of four 

 oars instead of two ; yet were the wings and feet nearer together, 

 as in land-birds, they would, when in action, rather hinder than 

 assist one another. 



This colymbus was of considerable bulk, weighing only three 

 drachms short of three pounds avoirdupois. It measured in 

 length from the bill to the tail (which was very short) two feet, 



