NOTES ON HOATZINS 



177 



Photo by W. B. 



FIG. 45. YOUNG HOATZIN SWIMMING TOWARD THE RIGHT: HEAD, WINGS, 

 BACK AND TAIL SHOWING. 



were just flush or occasionally a little above the surface. The 

 feet alone furnished the means of progression, moving with 

 alternate kicks, the toes reaching out on the forward move- 

 ment and curling around when the back stroke was made. 

 If I moved my hand suddenly toward the bird, or even 

 if the shadow cut it off for an instant from the direct sun- 

 light, it dived at once, the first dip carrying it four to six 

 inches beneath the surface. The feet became passive, dang- 

 ling uselessly and quite relaxed, back of the tail, while the 

 wings, moving together with graceful, synchronous beats, 

 swept the bird forward with strong, rhythmic strokes. 

 Twelve to sixteen inches were covered with each submarine 

 wing beat, the movement and general effect being that of a 

 diminutive penguin. 



