XXV.] 



OF SELBORNK. 



stroke, as to be full as narrow as the shank. The two ex- 

 terior 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 inter- 

 mediate line the line of the body. 



Most people know, that have observed at all, that the swim- 

 ming 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 anyone has given a reason why the wings of diving fowls 

 are placed so forward : doubtless, not for the purpose of promot- 

 ing 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 forty-two inches. A person 

 attempted to eat the body, but found it very strong and rancid, 

 as is the flesh of all 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 called sprat 

 loons, because they prey much on that sort of fish. 



The legs of the colymbi and mergi are placed so very backward 

 and so out of all centre of gravity, that these birds cannot walk 

 at all. They are called by Linnaeus compedes, because they move 

 on the ground as if shackled or fettered. 





