The Feet of Birds. 47 



the true land and water birds, partaking somewhat of the nature 

 of each. 'Generally incapable of swimming, and therefore unable 

 to go into deep water, they are formed for passing a great 

 portion of their time on land ; but yet, as all their food must be 

 procured from the water, or from wet and marshy spots, they 

 haunt the vicinity of lakes or streams, or the seashore ; and, as 

 a combination of both elements, delight in fens and swamps, 

 where they can wade about, or stand motionless, fishing for prey. 

 For such an amphibious nature, and such dabbling habits, how 

 well fitted are their legs and feet ; the tarsus of extreme length ; 

 the tibia frequently bare of feathers to a considerable distance 

 above the tarsal joint ; the toes always divided, but very long, 

 and usually slender, and of which the third and fourth are 

 frequently united by a membrane ; all present admirable facilities 

 to these birds for indulging their wading and fishing propen- 

 sities ; for as the great length of leg suffers them to walk in 

 water of some depth, without wetting their plumage, so the 

 wide- spreading form of their foot enables them to stand and run 

 on soft and doubtful ground, without sinking in. Thus, like the 

 stilts and flat boards on which the fenmen of Lincolnshire have 

 for ages been accustomed to traverse their swamps, so the long 

 legs and spreading feet of the waders are the instruments with 

 which nature has provided them for the same purpose. 



Widely different from the last described, but no less perfect, 

 and no less adapted to their peculiar requirements, are the feet 

 of the Natatores, or ' Swimmers ;' these dwell in and on the 

 water ; at one time on the surface, floating over the waves, at 

 another far below, diving for food or for safety. Many species 

 belonging to this order are quite incapable of walking on land, 

 and are but scantily provided with wings of much avail for 

 prolonged flight ; their chief means then of moving about are 

 by swimming and diving, which they do to perfection. All the 

 divers and auks present a grotesque and clumsy appearance on 

 shore : even the ducks cut but a sorry figure as they waddle 

 over the grass ; but place them in their own element, let them 

 once reach the water, and their awkwardness becomes elegance, 



