OBSERVATIONS ON 



backwards almost as the edge of a knife, that in striking 

 they may easily cut the water ; while the feet are pal- 

 mated, and broad for swimming, yet so folded up when 

 advanced forward to take a fresh stroke, as to be full 

 as narrow as the shank. The two exterior toes of the 

 feet are longest ; the nails flat and broad, resembling 

 the human, which give strength and increase the power 

 of swimming. The foot, when expanded, is not at right 

 angles to the leg or body of the bird : but the exte- 

 rior part inclining towards the head forms an acute 

 angle with the body; the intention being not to give 

 motion in the line of the legs themselves, but, by the 

 combined impulse of both, in an intermediate line, the 

 line of the body. 



Most people know, that have observed at all, that 

 the swimming of birds is nothing more than a walking 

 in the water, where one foot succeeds the other as on 

 the land; yet no one, as far as I am aware, has re- 

 marked that diving fowls, while under water, impel and 

 row themselves forward by a motion of their wings, as 

 well as by the impulse of their feet : but such is really 

 the case, as any person may easily be convinced, \\Iio 

 will observe ducks when hunted by dogs in a clear 

 pond. Nor do I know that any one has given a reason 

 why the wings of diving fowls are placed so forward : 

 doubtless, not for the purpose of promoting their speed 

 in flying, since that position certainly impedes it; but 

 probably for the increase of their motion under water, 

 by the use of four oars instead of two ; yet were the 

 wings and feet nearer together, as in land birds, they 

 would, when in action, rather hinder than assist one 

 another. 



This Colymbus was of considerable bulk, weighing 

 only three drachms short of three pounds avoirdupois. 

 It measured in length from the bill to the tail (which 

 was very short) two feet ; and to the extremities of the 

 toes four inches more; and the breadth of the wings 

 expanded was forty-two inches. A person attempted 



