392 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



in a proper light the wonderful works of God in the creation, and 

 to point out his wisdom in adapting the singular form and position 

 of the limbs of this bird to the particular mode in which it is 

 destined to pass the greatest part of its life in an element much 

 denser than the air, do Mr. White credit, not only as a naturalist, 

 but as a man and as a philosopher, in the truest sense of the word, 

 in my opinion ; for were we enabled to trace the works of nature 

 minutely and accurately, we should find, not only that every bird, 

 but every creature, was equally well adapted to the purpose for 

 which it was intended ; though this fitness and propriety of form is 

 more striking in such animals as are destined to any uncommon 

 mode of life. 



I have had in my possession two birds, which, though of a differ- 

 ent genus, bear a great resemblance to Mr. White' s colymbus, in 

 their manner of life, which is spent chiefly in the water, wh ere they 

 swim and dive with astonishing rapidity, for which purpose their 

 fin-toed feet, placed far behind, and very short wings, are particu- 

 larly well adapted, and show the wisdom of God in the creation as 

 conspicuously as the bird before mentioned. These birds were the 

 greater and lesser crested grebe, podiceps cristatus et auritus. What 

 surprised me most was, that the first of these birds was found alive 

 on dry ground, about seven miles from the sea, to which place there 

 was no communication by water. How did it get so far from the 

 sea ? its wings and legs being so ill adapted either to flying or 

 walking. The lesser crested grebe was also found in a fresh water 

 pond which had no communication with other water at some miles' 

 distance from the sea. MARKWICK. 



STONE-CURLEW. 



On the 27th of February, 1788, stone-curlews were heard to pipe : 

 and on March ist, after it was dark, some were passing over the 

 village, as might be perceived by their quick short note, which they 

 use in their nocturnal excursions by way of watchword, that they 

 may not stray and lose their companions. 



Thus, we see, that retire whithersoever they may in the winter, 

 they return again early in the spring, and are, as it now appears, 

 the first summer birds that come back. Perhaps the mildness of 

 the season may have quickened the emigration of the curlews this 

 year. 



