OBSERVATIONS, &:c. 365. 



and diverging. In this view many parts are hidden by others coming 

 before them. That by this almoft contradictory conformation of parts, 

 the bat fhould be a heavy walker, and indeed rather drag itfclf along 

 than walk, is no wonder ; his gait is tottering, and he is often in danger 

 of falling fideways. 



Fi". 2. Shews this animal in a flying ftate ; to accomplifh which he 

 fpreads his fingers (or thofe long radii from M), and extends his mem- 

 branous fides, which are fo thin they are almoft tranfparent, yet very 

 ftrong. A the arm, B the fore arm, M the thumb, C, D, E, F, the 

 extended fingers, which are further feparated from each other in the order 

 mentioned j the membrane between thefe aflfumes a hollowed ^orm^ G, 

 H, I, K (near the tail L). When the bat ceafes flying, he fhuts the 

 fingers clofe on the fore-arm, thereby folding the membrane inco 

 a fmall compafs, and prefenting to the air a lefs furface, yet equal weight, 

 he defccnds and repofes. Other flying creatures have no fuch long radii 

 of fingers (vide Flying Squirrel). 



The Flamingo. The head of fome is rather fmaller in proportion. 

 The AvocETTA. All birds bills of this kind do not turn up equally, 

 but fome more, fome lefs, and are not of equal length. 



The Combatant is given in both ftates, to exhibit the remarkable 

 difllmilarity of this bird when full feathered and when moulted. 



The Cut-Water. This bird, from the conformation of his bill, which 

 is compofed of two very unequal pieces, can neither peck nor gather his 

 food : his upper mandible falls into his lower, like the blade of a razor 

 into its haft, fo that the bird is reduced to glide over the furface of the 

 fea, and with his lower mandible furrow the water, in order to catch fuch 

 fifh as are near, or on, the furface ; hence his name. The point of his 

 bill is black j near the head red, as are his feet : fize of a fmall fea-mew. 

 The upper part of his body, the front of his neck, and forehead, white ; 

 fome white on his wings ; the reft of his plumage black, or brown-black, 

 more or lefs. Inhabits Carolina and Guyana ; go in troops j almolt 

 always on the wing : their wings are long, yet they fly flowly, the better 

 to perceive and feize their prey. 



The Ostrich. The neck of fome is rather longer in proportion. 

 The Crocodile given in the plate, is the long-fnouted crocod'ikj or 

 that of the Ganges; which is fimilar to the Siamefe defcribedin page 151. 

 The Guano. His pouch is in its fwelled ftate j the rifings on his back 

 are rather too ftrongly marked, and rather too much in lines. 

 ThcCAJjiELEON is in hispuffed-up ftate. 



4 The 



