MODE OF FEEDING. 19 



the feet trailing straight out behind but in constant 

 use to steer by, or to push now and then up or down a 

 rock or crevice where the wings could not be unfolded 

 as much as wished. The neck is stretched out 

 straight in front, as when flying in the air, and the 

 bird picks and sorts with its bill as it passes quickly 

 over the stones and weeds. It would be impossible 

 for a Diver to sink to the bottom without using the 

 wings to force it down, as they always do. The 

 wings, in fact, govern their motions in the water 

 exactly as they do in the air, as they fly (for flying 

 it is) up or down through the liquid depths.* They 

 cannot even rise from the bottom, after a long dive, 

 without working the wings rapidly, though only half 

 extended. After a short immersion they can come 

 to the surface with almost closed wings, but never 

 quite so. When they first go down, they throw 

 out great numbers of air-bubbles, and the wings 

 may then be seen glistening like silver, down 

 below, by reason of the air held between the 

 feathers, which do not lie so close as those on the 

 body. 



When we see a bird dive, he invariably throws 

 his body down quickly and with force, head first ; this 

 takes him well under water, and enables the wings 

 to be then used with effect. Unless wounded, no bird 

 would ever try to dive save with smooth folded 

 wing. I have remarked Divers at the bottom of 

 a clear pool, when looking for food, keep a pretty 

 straight course, turning the bill from side to side as 

 they cruise along, and leaving a long streak of 



* The wings of most Diving Ducks act as fins under water and as 

 wings in air. This their blunt and stiff form well permits. 



C 2 



