226 ON VARIOUS PARTS 



were the wings and feet nearer together, 

 as in land-birds, they would, when in 

 action, rather hinder than assist one ano- 

 ther. 



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 

 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 

 compecks, because they move on the ground 

 as if shackled or fettered. WHITE. 



