III. THE DABCHICKS. 97 



such a wingless and beakless creature can do 

 anyiking* 



84. ' Tlie balance of this kind of bird on 

 its legs is a very important part of its — 

 diagnosis ; (we must have a fine word now 

 and then !) Its action on the wing, is mere 

 flutter or flirt, in and out of the hedge, or 

 over it; but its manner of perch, or literally 

 * bien-seance,' is admirable matter of interest. 

 So also in the birds which are on the water 

 what these are on land ; picking up anything 

 anywhere ; lazy and fortunate, mostly, them- 

 selves ; fat, floating, daintiest darlings ; — t/ieir 

 balance on the water, also, and under it, in 

 ' ducking,' a most essential part of their busi- 

 ness and being. 



85. Then, directly opposed to these, in both 

 kinds, you have the birds which must fast 

 long, and fly far, and watch or fight for their 

 food. Not stomachic in profile ; far from 

 cheerful in disposition ; more or less lonely 

 in habit ; or, if gregarious, out of the way of 

 men. The balance of these on the wing, is 

 no less essential a part of their picturing, than 



* Compare ' Paradise of Birds,' (song to the young Roc, 

 page 67,) and see close of lecture for notes on that book. 



G 



