SWIMMERS. 301 



very curious, these birds make their nests on hillocks, a little 

 elevated ahove shallow water, on which they sit with their legs 

 extended downwards, like a man sitting on a stool. They prevail 

 on the coasts of Cuba, and the Bahama Islands, in the West Indies. 

 'J'hey only frequent salt water. Its mode of eating is very sin- 

 gular : by the particular shape of its bill, in eating, it twists its 

 neck from side to side, and makes the upper mandible touch the 

 ground. They are very stupid, and will not even rise at the report 

 of a gun. Besides, it is no warning to the survivors to see their 

 slain associates, or offspring, lying dead at their feet. If a fowler 

 keeps himself out of sight, he may kill as many as he pleases 

 with the utmost ease. Their food chiefly consists of small fish, or 

 the spawn of fishes, and also water-insects, which they diligently 

 search after by plunging in their bill and part of their head. 

 While feeding in groups, one of them stands sentinel, and when 

 he gives the alarm, the whole flock takes wing. When this bird 

 takes rest and sleeps it stands on one foot, the other being drawn 

 up close to the body, with the head placed under the wing on that 

 side of the body on which it stands, and thus enabling it to pre- 

 serve its equilibrium. 



ORDER VII SWIMMERS. 



The birds of this order have their toes connected together 

 iy a web or membrane, which fits them for being used as oars ; 

 ind, indeed, their whole structure adapts them for swimming — 

 theii legs being situated far back upon their bodies, their feather.s 

 thick, smooth, and oily, 

 and their skin beneath 

 covered by a layer of 

 close down, which ef- 

 ectually prevents them 

 rom the contact of 

 ffater. Their r-ecks are 

 jf considerable length, enabling them, while swimming upon the 

 surface of the water, to plunge their heads down to the bottom in 

 Bearch of food. 



26 



Bernicle Goose. 



