02 THE DODO. 



white, sharp at the end, and each chap crooked 

 in opposite directions. They resemble two point- 

 ed spoons that are laid together by the backs. 

 From all this results a stupid and voracious 

 physiognomy ; which is still more increased by a 

 bordering of feathers round the root of the beak, 

 which gives the appearance of a hood or cowl, 

 and finishes this picture of stupid deformity. 

 Bulk, which in other animals implies strength, in 

 this only contributes to inactivity. The ostrich, 

 or the cassowary, are no more able to fly than 

 the animal before us ; but then they supply that 

 defect by their speed in running. The dodo 

 seems weighed down by its own heaviness, and 

 has scarcely strength to urge itself forward. It 

 seems among birds what the sloth is among quad- 

 rupeds, an unresisting thing, equally incapable of 

 flight or defence. It is furnished with wings, 

 covered with soft ash-coloured feathers, but they 

 are too short to assist it in flying. It is furnished 

 with a tail, with a few small curled feathers ; but 

 this tail is disproportioned and displaced. Its 

 legs are too short for running, and its body too 

 fat to be strong. One would take it for a tortoise 

 that had supplied itself with the feathers of a 

 bird ; and that, thus dressed out with the in- 

 struments of flight, it was only still the more un- 

 wieldy. 



This bird is a native of the Isle of France ; 

 and the Dutch, who first discovered it there, 

 called it in their language the nauseous bird, as 

 well from its disgusting figure, as from the bad 

 taste of its flesh. However, succeeding observers 



