34 PLEASURES OF ORNITHOLOGY. 



That grasping, hold secure the topmast spray, 



And to the passing breeze all buoyant dance ; — 



The Grallatores (") who with cloven feet , 



And length of leg deep wade; or Raptors they, 



Whose talons strong, incurv'd and piercing, hold 



Whate'er they seize and to the eyrie bear ; 



While by the Rasor*s well- adapted feet 



Forth from his hiding place is drawn the worm. 



As sail the Natafores {^) on the wave, 



Their paddles membranous, lo ! how they ply 



And speed along ; or; if Colymbid (^) race, 



Dive with agility, and long beneath, 



For pleasure or security remain. 



Even flamy Phcenicopterus ('^) whose length 



Of leg, of neck, seems disproportionate 



To trunk so small, is still what he should be — 



Well fashioned for his functions. 



Hence go YE 

 Inspect their various Feathers form'd at once 

 For use and beauty — light and fitted well — 

 The pennon plumes to press the elastic air, 

 And on impel the buoyant bird ; to steer 



(J) Grallatoresj Wading birds.— d) NatatoreSy Swimming 

 BIRDS. — C^; Colymbid race, birds of the Diver tribe.— 

 (^'^)Ph<Knicopterus ruber, or Red Flamingo. 

 1 



