time thrust forward beneath the body. In some birds this 
forward movement is more marked than in others. And 
this because such birds possess a somewhat more flexible 
spine, there being a certain amount of “ play’”’ where the 
vertebra of the loins join the welded mass of vertebra which 
lie between the bones of the hip-girdle. 
But the tail feathers are not indispensable. This much is 
shown in the case of birds like the kingfisher, the water-hen, 
and the land-rail, which contrive to fly well, and at a great 
pace, though they have but the merest apology for a tail. 
More than this, the grebes have no tail at all. But it is to 
be noted that they are by no means adept at turning move- 
ments ; owing to the lack of this appendage the body, when 
in mid-air, has a curiously truncated appearance, as may be 
seen in the illustration. Further, it is significant that in the 
contemptible ‘“‘sport’’ of pigeon-shooting from traps, the 
birds are deprived of their tails to prevent them from making 
turning movements. 
The carriage of the head and neck, and of the legs, during 
flight presents some interesting, and some instructive con- 
trasts. 
Ducks, geese, and swans, flamingoes, storks, and 
cormorants always fly with the head and neck stretched out 
to their fullest extent. Herons and pelicans, though also 
long-necked birds, draw the head back till it rests almost 
177 
