LETTER XVIII. 129 



put a little sealing-wax where the joint was ; cut, and rub them 

 over with varnish ; and they make rather an amusing collection. 

 What a contrast between these Swans' huge splay feet and the 

 Petrel's delicate little paddles, or the Tern's minute red slippers ! 

 Mould a pair of Cormorant's feet round a wooden peg to show 

 how adapted they are for perching. Let one of the loon's feet 

 dry in the position of being drawn forward, when it collapses into 

 a mere knife blade, as a contrast to a foot giving the impelling 

 stroke, which expands to the size of a mason's trowel. 



I shall be very much interested to hear of the success of your 

 researches after the Bridled Guillemot (Uria lachrymans). It is 

 always described as having the white rim round the eye, extending 

 backwards down the neck, which is exactly the description of the 

 three specimens that I have seen here. But in some books I see it 

 mentioned that " there is a variety of Uria troile, on the coast of 

 Wales and elsewhere, having a white line between the eye and 

 the bill, like the Eazor-bill." Is this a variety or a third distinct 

 species ? It is not usual for Nature to play such pranks among 

 wild birds, where a variety is a lusus naturce of rare occurrence. 

 However this may be, I shall not bridle my tongue in defence of 

 his individuality, even should your looked-for essay on the subject 

 pronounce his non-existence. As a doughty controversialist once 

 said when getting the worst of an argument, " You may convince 

 me, but I won't believe it." So shall I be like a sturdy Saxon, 

 whose boast is that even when he is beaten he is not aware of it, 

 and with colours nailed to the mast, whether we sink or swim, 

 to the last gasp my cry is, " Uria lacrymans and no surrender ! " 

 On all other points I am your obedient friend. 



