CHAPTER XXXI. 



THE DUCKS, CORMORANTS AND GREBES. 



WE have arrived at the last Order of birds, the 

 Natatores, or Swimmers, whose home is on the face 

 of the waters. Some of them cannot walk at all, and 

 few are at ease on dry land, but in their own element 



t! r .-.' "I,.- ' k ' "' 



Dab chicks. 



they are happy and graceful. Their bodies are long 

 and boat-shaped, their plumage close-set and well 

 oiled, so that any fluid rolls off them " like water off 

 a duck's back," their legs are short and set far back, 

 and their feet are converted into paddles by a web 

 which stretches from toe to toe. With these pro- 

 pellers they make their way swiftly over the surface of 



