248 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



average, about foifl: pounds avoirdupois ; and his legs and thighs 

 measure usually about twenty inches. But four pounds are fifteen 

 times and a fraction more than four ounces, and one quarter ; and 

 if four ounces and a quarter have eight inches of legs, four pounds 

 must have one hundred and twenty inches and a fraction of legs ; 

 viz., somewhat more than ten feet ; such a monstrous proportion as 

 the world never saw ! If you should try the experiment in still 

 larger birds the disparity would still increase. It must be matter 

 of great curiosity to see the stilt plover move ; to observe how it 

 can wield such a length of lever with such feeble muscles as the 



LONG-LFGGED PLOVER. 



thighs seem to be furnished with. At best one should expect it to 

 be but a bad walker : but what adds to the wonder is, that it has no 

 back toe. Now without that steady prop to support its steps, it 

 must be liable, in speculation, to perpetual vacillations, and seldom 

 able to preserve the true centre of gravity. 



The old name of himantopus is taken from Pliny ; and, by an 

 awkward metaphor, implies that the legs are as slender and pliant 

 as if cut out of a thong of leather. Neither Willughby nor Ray, in 

 all their curious researches, either at home or abroad, ever saw 

 this bird. Mr. Pennant never met with it in all Great Britain, but 



