OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS 343 



tion, and to point out His wisdom in adapting the singular 

 form and position of the limbs of this bird to the particular 

 mode in which it is destined to pass the greatest part of its life 

 in an element much denser than the air, do Mr. White credit, 

 not only as a naturalist, but as a man, and as a philosopher, 

 in the truest sense of the word, in my opinion ; for were we 

 enabled to trace the works of nature minutely and accurately, 

 we should find, not only that every bird, but every creature, 

 was equally well adapted to the purpose for which it was in- 

 tended ; though this fitness and propriety of form is more 

 striking in such animals as are destined to any uncommon 

 mode of life. 



I have had in my possession two birds, which, though of a 

 different genus, bear a great resemblance to Mr. White's colym- 

 bus, in their manner of life, which is spent chiefly in the water, 

 where they swim and dive with astonishing rapidity, for which 

 purpose their fin-toed feet, placed far behind, and very short 

 wings, are particularly well adapted, and show the wisdom of 

 God in the creation as conspicuously as the bird before-men- 

 tioned. These birds were the greater and lesser crested grebe, 

 podiceps cristatus et auritus. What surprised me most was 

 that the first of these birds was found alive on dry ground, 

 about seven miles from the sea, to which place there was no 

 communication by water. How did it get so far from the sea ? 

 its wings and legs being so ill adapted either to flying or walk- 

 ing. The lesser crested grebe was also found in a fresh-water 

 pond which had no communication with other water, at some 

 miles' distance from the sea. MARKWICK. 



STONE-CURLEW. On the 27th February, 1788, stone-cur- 

 lews were heard to pipe : and on March ist, after it was dark, 

 some were passing over the village, as might be perceived by 

 their quick short note, which they use in their nocturnal excur- 

 sions by way of watchword, that they may not stray and lose 

 their companions. 



Thus we see that, retire whithersoever they may in the win- 

 ter, they return again early in the spring, and are, as it now 

 appears, the first summer birds that come back. Perhaps the 

 mildness of the season may have quickened the emigration of 

 the curlews this year. 



