V. 



FEET OF THE DIPPER AND COOT. 



THE fact that the feet of the dipper are still like the feet of 

 the thrush, and that the feet of the coot have only web-like 

 expansions, as we have said, on the sides of the toes, gives 

 Mr. Lydekker (" Phases of Animal Life ") the suggestion 

 that the aquatic habits of these birds are of comparatively 

 recent acquisition, and have not yet induced any strongly 

 marked structural peculiarity. 



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