with one foot, and thus lose the centre of gravity. 

 Rooks sometimes dive and tumble in a frolicsome 

 manner ; crows and daws swag- 

 ger in their walk ; wood- 

 peckers fly volatu tmdoso, 

 opening and closing their 

 wings at every stroke, 

 and so are always rising 

 or falling in curves. All 

 of this genus use their 

 tails, which incline down- 

 ward, as a support while 

 they run up trees. Parrots, 

 like all other hooked-clawed 

 birds, walk awkwardl}^ and 

 make use of their bill as a third 

 foot, climbing and descending with 

 ridiculous caution. All the gallince 

 parade and walk gracefully, and run nimbly ; but 

 fly with difficulty, with an impetuous whirring, and 

 in a straight line. Magpies and jays flutter with 

 powerless wings, and make no despatch ; herons 

 seem encumbered with too much sail for their light 

 bodies ; but these vast hollow wings are necessary 

 in carrying burdens, such as large fishes, and the 

 like ; pigeons, and particularly the sort called smit- 

 ers, have a way of clashing their wings, the one 

 against the other, over their backs with a loud 



snap ; another variety called tumblers, turn them- 



107 



A jackdaw. 



