428 The Natural History of Selborne 



alis, Linn., the great speckled diver or loon, which is most 

 excellently described in Willughby's Ornithology. 



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 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 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 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. 



