111. THE DABCHICKS. IIQ 



describing, agree, you will observe, in delicate 

 and singular use of their feet in the water ; the 

 torrent-ouzel holding itself mysteriously at the 

 bottom ; and the lily-ouzel, less mysteriously, 

 but as skilfully, on the top (for I forgot to 

 note, respecting this raft-walking, that the 

 bird, however light, must be always careful 

 not to tread on the edges of leaves, but in the 

 middle, or, rather, as nearly as may be where 

 they are set on the stalk ; it would go in at 

 once if it trod on the edges). But both the 

 birds have the foot which is really character- 

 istic of land, not water-birds ; and especially 

 of those land species that run well. Of the 

 real action of the toes, either in running, or 

 hopping, nothing is told us by the anatomists 

 — (compare lecture on Robin, § 26) ; but I 

 hope before long to get at some of the facts 

 respecting the greater flexibiHty of the grip- 

 ping and climbing feet, and elasticity of 

 running ones; and to draw up something 

 like a properly graduated scale of the length 

 of the toes in proportion to that of the body. 



of the countries where it is found" (which be they?) "rear 

 it as a protector for their fowls, as it not only feeds with 

 them, but accompanies them into the fields, and brings them 

 back in the evening ! " 



