414 OBSERVATIONS ON 



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 as 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, and to the extremities of the toes, 

 four inches more ; and the breadth of the wings expanded 

 was 42 inches. A person attempted to eat the body, but 

 found it very strong and rancid, as is the flesh of aU birds 

 living on fish. Divers or loons, though bred in the most 

 northerly parts of Europe, yet are seen with us in very 

 severe winters ; and on the Thames are caUed sprat loons, 

 because they prey much on that sort of fish. 



The legs of the colymbi and mergi are placed so very 



