THE NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON. 



405 



HORTHERN DIVER. 



THE NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON. 



Every part and proportion of this bird is so incomparably adapted 



to its mode of life, 

 that in no instance 

 do we see the wis- 

 dom of God in the. 

 creation to more ad- 

 vantage. The head 

 is sharp ; and smaller 

 than the part of the 

 neck adjoining, in 

 order that it may 

 _ pierce the water : 

 ? the wings are placed 

 forward, and out of 

 the centre of grav- 

 ity; for a purpose 

 whi ch will be 

 noticed hereafter : the thighs are quite backward, in order to facili- 

 tate diving ; and the legs are flat, and almost as sharp backwards as 

 the edge of a knife, that, in striking they may easily cut the water : 

 while the feet are broad for swimming; yet so folded up, when 

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

 the shank. The two exterior toes of the feet are longest; and the 

 nails are flat and broad, resembling those of the human body; 

 which give strength to the bird, and increase its power of swimming. 

 The foot, when expanded, is not at right angles to the leg ; but the 

 exterior 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. 



M ^st people who have exercised any degree of observation, know 

 that the swimming of birds is nothing more 

 than walking in the water, where one foot 

 succeeds the other as on the land ; but no one, 

 as far as I am aware, says the Rev. Mr. 

 White, has remarked that diving-fowls, while 

 under water, impel and row themselves for- 

 ward by a motion of their wings, as well as 

 by the impulse of their feet: yet such is 

 really the case, as any one may easily be 

 convinced, who 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 ; and were the wings and feet nearer together, as in land-birds, 

 ihey would, when in action , rather hinder than assist one another. 



KORTH1RN DIVER. 



